Police were able to take a suicidal mani into custody after an incident on the Eel River Bridge. He was there when officers got there late Monday night. As they approached, he
removed a large knife from a sheath and stated he wanted the officers to shoot him. The
officers engaged him in conversation in an attempt to calm him.
Humboldt CHP officers arrived on scene to assist and as officers spoke with the subject, he
made additional statements that he wanted officers to shoot him. At one point, the subject
began walking towards the driver door of his vehicle and the officers instructed him to move
away, fearing for his safety and the safety of the public if he became mobile again. The subject
stated that if he got back in the car, he believed officers would have no choice but to shoot him.
While continuing to give verbal commands to the subject not to get back in his vehicle, he
refused to comply and continued approaching the open car door. An Electronic Control Device
(taser) was deployed successfully, causing the subject to drop the knife and fall to the ground.
He was safely detained and emergency medical personnel were allowed to respond and
provide treatment. The subject was subsequently transported to the hospital.