Man threatening to light himself on fire arrested in Aberdeen

Aberdeen, WA – An Aberdeen man was arrested following a stand-off at his residence Monday afternoon where he was threatening to light himself on fire. 

The Aberdeen Police Department tells KXRO that just before 3:00 p.m. officers responded to a report in the 500 block of N. M St. that the 58-year old man was dousing the clothing he was wearing with gasoline and threatening to set himself on fire with lighters he was holding in both hands. 

Police say the man and his wife had been in a domestic dispute prompting the crisis situation.

They say Aberdeen officers and a crisis negotiator from the Hoquiam Police Department spoke with the man for over an hour while the Aberdeen Fire Department staged about a block away. 

According to Aberdeen Police, the man repeatedly lit the lighters during the negotiation. 

They say officers were able to persuade the man to walk to the bottom of the stairs, where less-lethal tools were deployed and the man was taken into custody by multiple officers before he could use the lighters to ignite his clothing.

The man was transported to Grays Harbor Community Hospital where he was treated and released to corrections staff. 

The man faces Aberdeen Municipal Court Malicious Mischief charges related to damage in the house during the domestic dispute.

Aberdeen Police shared that the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a 24-hour toll-free suicide prevention service available to anyone in a suicidal crisis. 

If you need help, call 1-800-273-TALK (8255). 

You will be routed to the closest possible crisis center in your area.