Taser Used to Subdue Suicidal Subject in Order to Protect the Public, Reports the CHP

Press release from the California Highway Patrol:

On November 4, 2018, at approximately 2205 hours, California Highway Patrol’s Humboldt Communications Center (HCC) received a report of a possible suicidal subject traveling south from Eureka. At approximately 2227 hours, the suicidal subject called dispatch and indicated that he intended to commit suicide but was not going to involve other drivers.

A short time later, CHP dispatchers received reports of a vehicle stopped on the Eel River Bridge, between Rio Dell and Fortuna, with no lights on. Just after 2300 hours, two Garberville CHP officers arrived on scene and observed a subject standing near the bridge railing, next to a vehicle. A crisis negotiator from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office was requested and Rio Dell Volunteer Fire Department staged in a safe location near the scene.

The officers approached the subject to make contact and check on his well-being. 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 Semperviren’s Psychiatric Health Facility in Eureka for treatment. One CHP officer received minor injuries during the incident and was treated and released at the scene.

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14 Comments
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Willie Caso-Mayhem
Guest
5 years ago

Good read.👍🏾

Groba dude trustafarian osnt
Guest
Groba dude trustafarian osnt
5 years ago

Reminds me of the old donkey that was shot because he was cranky…

If they don’t mind, kill them!

Tasered for not following directions. Nice!

Really?
Guest
Really?
5 years ago

Did you miss the part about “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?” It’s not like the police gave him irrational orders.

Blackberry Amnesia
Guest
Blackberry Amnesia
5 years ago
Reply to  Really?

Well, sometimes ECT is used for depressed persons, and I suppose that Taser constitutes a minor ECT treatment… Maybe the guy feels better today!

Still should have been 5150’d for his own good, and to insure the safety of the public.

Humboldt Lady
Guest
Humboldt Lady
5 years ago

May this young man find value in his life. I hope he can receive the help he needs to heal and feel good again. This is just heartbreaking. Thank you PD and CHP for not shooting him.

Owo Yee Hoo
Guest
Owo Yee Hoo
5 years ago
Reply to  Humboldt Lady

Lmao they let him out today as if nothing happened and he is Scott free and already got his car out. The Eureka Mental Health Support here is absolute shit and he is going to probably try again so.

TracyF
Guest
TracyF
5 years ago
Reply to  Humboldt Lady

Yes, Humboldt Lady, you speak my mind too. He is clearly calling out for help in the only way he knows how to. I sure hope that OwoYeeHoo is incorrect, as I would hope there was a minimum 3 day internment for severe mental health situations.

I like stars too!
Guest
I like stars too!
5 years ago
Reply to  TracyF

Anywhere else, the police would deliver you to mental health and you would be held 72 hours as a 5150. Usually, an ER will do the same.

In Humboldt, however, which is pretty much a 24/7/365 indoor/outdoor insane asylum and drug party, you get what we have in this case: A tasered guy put in Jail overnight to sober up.

Humboldt Mental Health – a thing of beauty every day!

J
Guest
J
5 years ago
Reply to  TracyF

I believe it’s 48 hours unless you give them cause to keep you longer. My ex was held 2 weeks after his attempt because he was honest with the staff about his mental state and truly wanted a diagnosis and a treatment plan in place before he left. The Eureka mental hospital is a very hard place to get good mental health care but I hope it’s enough to give him a new outlook. The things I learned most about surviving 17 years of suicide ideation is if you want to die then you either: have a mental illness, don’t have a meaningful giving life as an upstanding and contributing member of society and/or your surrounding yourself with crappy people. Once you correct those three things then all the other bad sh*t falls by the wayside. If you don’t like the life you have then create a new one. It takes YEARS of work but it beats suicide and having your life run by mental illness. There are good therapist in Eureka covered medical too.

Good luck to this man and to anyone feeling this way. Stay strong and put in work to change your situation and mental health.

Geoffrey davis
Guest
Geoffrey davis
5 years ago
Reply to  J

Thanks J. Sanity wins the comments!

guest
Guest
guest
5 years ago
Reply to  TracyF

Yeah, that’ll fix him right up.

A little forced “treatment” with brain-destroying drugs…from PHarma.

He’ll be right as rain.

Phyllis
Guest
Phyllis
5 years ago
Reply to  TracyF

Nope, in and out on a 5150
WTF HCMH, this disturbed young man is not well and the county mental health system is a joke

diesel dually
Guest
diesel dually
5 years ago

Danger to self is the primary criteria for a 72 hour hold, in most counties.

If you feel like killing yourself, it would be best to first travel to a county which has mental health services. Even to Weaverville…

Get help, and please don’t harm other people while depressed or intoxicated.

Inpatient detox is available, and Inpatient rehab is a good option for many Humboldt Residents. Try St Helena Hospital, or one of many others available.

28 days in rehab will fix many problems, and is fully worth the cost.

JP
Guest
JP
5 years ago

So 5150 means they can hold you for up to 72 hours for evaluation by a doctor. The doctor can have that extended for up to 2 weeks while a second evaluation is done and a court report is made and the case heard. If the evaluating doctor feels there is no longer a threat of danger to self or others may release a patient at any point during that 72 hour period