PORT TOWNSEND — Police officers who responded to a call about a suicidal man were able to diffuse the situation with no injuries after making use of a Taser stun gun.
A call came in at 7:13 p.m. last Wednesday reporting that a man armed with a knife was threatening to kill himself, according to a news release issued Sunday.
When two officers arrived, they entered an apartment and found the male in the kitchen armed with a large butcher knife.
One officer instructed the male, whose name was not released, to put the knife down, but he refused.
According to the news release, both officers were concerned the man was going to injure or kill himself, but also felt that if they backed out of the home, it would give him time to carry out his threats.
The officers saw no alternative other than using a Taser in an attempt to prevent him from harming himself or others.
The Taser was fired, hitting the man, and he dropped the knife.
Officers were then able to move the knife away.
The man was taken by ambulance to Jefferson Healthcare Hospital accompanied by family.