Following a five-hour standoff at Holy Rosary Cemetery on Saturday, July 18, police successfully took an armed and suicidal individual into custody without injury, according to the Warrenton Police Department.
Officers initially responded to Holy Rosary Cemetery at approximately 9:30 a.m. after receiving a report of a suicidal person armed with a .38 caliber revolver, the police department said in a social media post.
Warrenton police requested assistance from the Wright City Police Department, Warren County Sheriff's Department, Truesdale Police Department, and Missouri State Highway Patrol, and officers negotiated with the subject in an effort to resolve the situation peacefully for approximately five hours.
“The Missouri State Highway Patrol ultimately deployed a Taser, allowing officers to safely take the individual into custody without injury,” according to the WPD post.
“The subject was transported to a mental health facility where they will receive further evaluation and appropriate care.”
Warrenton police thanked the other law enforcement agencies that assisted with the incident.
“Incidents involving individuals in crisis require patience, sound judgment, and coordination, and we're grateful for the support of our partner agencies in bringing the situation to a safe conclusion,” the police department said.
“Calls involving individuals in mental health crisis are among the most unpredictable and potentially dangerous situations law enforcement officers encounter.”
All Warrenton police officers are Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) trained to help them recognize and respond to these kinds of incidents, de-escalate situations when possible, and make sound decisions under rapidly changing circumstances, the police department noted.
If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Trained counselors are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to provide free and confidential support.
