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Cleveland man holds police at bay -Three-hour standoff ends with arrest

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Special to the News-Times

CLEVELAND — A 39-year-old man threatening to shoot himself was taken into custody by San Jacinto County Sheriff’s deputies on Tuesday morning.

According to a press release from Sheriff Greg Capers, the Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call shortly after 7:30 a.m. Tuesday stating the suspect was in the yard of a residence in the 200 block of Rayburn Street in Cleveland.

The report indicates the man, who has not been identified, was holding a long rifle threatening to hurt himself.

Sheriff deputies and DPS troopers from the Texas Department of Public Safety spoke with the man’s girlfriend, who told police her boyfriend said he was tired of living and threatened to hurt himself.

Deputies contacted the man, who was pacing back and forth armed with the rifle; the suspect reportedly was making statements he wanted to harm himself and wanted to commit suicide by cop, the report states. He also said he was suffering from depression as well as other mental health issues to include anxiety and bipolar disorder. 

A negotiator maintained communication with the man while members of the Sheriff’s Office devised a plan to safely end the standoff; after approximately three hours, the man was safely taken into custody with minimal amount of force used after being surrounded by authorities.

The man was transported to a nearby local hospital for a mental health evaluation, the release states.

Capers said he commends the responding law enforcement officials for noting suspect’s intent early as the incident unfolded, and then relied on training and experience in getting the man the mental health support he needs. 

This case is still under investigation and charges could be pending.

If you or someone you know needs help, you can call the National Suicide Prevention lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.

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