Hoquiam Police involved in incident with suicidal man and a BB gun

Originally posted 8-1-19

An incident involving a suicidal man in Hoquiam ended peacefully after the man came out of a home with a gun.

The Hoquiam Police Department posted a report saying units were dispatched on Wednesday to the 300 block of Grant Street for a suicidal subject.

They say that when officers arrived the man yelled at them to leave while standing behind a closed door.

According to police, a disabled woman answered the door and told an officer that the man was frustrated and that everything was ok.

When officers asked to talk to the man, the woman reportedly yelled for him, but the man came from the back of the home holding a rifle to the underside of his chin, slamming the front door.

Officers secured the area and were joined on scene by the Aberdeen Police Department.

Hoquiam Police say that while trying to make contact with the man, he came out and fired the rifle into the air and officers were able to determine that the rifle was a BB gun.

After the man retreated back into the home, he came out a short time later without the gun and began talking with the officers and counselors.

HPD says that it was determined the man was in crisis from medical and financial issues that he and his wife had been going through, adn that the man admitted his actions were in poor judgment, agreeing to allow officers to take the BB gun to be destroyed and check for any other weapons.

The report states that at no time did the subject point the rifle at officer’s.

Hoquiam Police remind residents who are feeling suicidal to reach out for help. 1-800-273-8255 is the national suicide hotline.