[1]The scene along Rhobina Street in Centralia as police work to coax man from house. / Courtesy photo by Brandon Williams
By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
A 911 call yesterday about a suicidal subject in northeast Centralia led to a large police response and the evacuation of nearby homes, but the hours-long incident ended with nobody hurt and the 31-year-old man safe and put into the hands of family and mental health professionals.
Officers dispatched about 2:10 p.m. to the 1200 block of Rhobina Street were initially told the subject was holding a handgun to his head, according to police.
His father had left the residence and police learned there were numerous firearms inside, according to Centralia Police Department Chief Bob Berg.
Berg indicated information was varied as to the man’s danger to himself and propensity for violence. It was because attempts to contact him were unsuccessful and out of an abundance of caution that police decided to ask neighbors to leave, according to Berg.
Officers, joined by members of the Centralia and Lewis County SWAT teams, blocked off the area for security.
After consultations between police, family members and representatives from Cascade Mental Health, a decision was made just before 8 p.m. for police to simply enter the home, which they did, according to the chief.
The man was contacted and then left in the care of family and individuals with the mental health clinic, according to Berg.