By JAMES MITCHELL
Sunday Times Newspapers
SOUTHGATE – A 52-year-old man took his own life Wednesday morning in spite of efforts by a woman he’d called and the police she’d summoned to the Southgate Park apartments.
Public Safety Director Thomas Coombs said the man – whose name had not been released pending notification of family – had spoken with a female acquaintance early morning Wednesday.
“He indicated he was contemplating harming himself,” Coombs said. The woman relayed the message – including that the man was armed – to police about 10:30 a.m. Responding officers approached the complex on Garrison Lane, off Dix-Toledo near Eureka.
“We sent people out there,” Coombs said. “The EMTs indicated he was going to shoot himself. The officers attempted to contact him by phone to no avail.”
Police obtained a pass key and cautiously entered the apartment, where the man was found in a bedroom and was soon pronounced dead of a single gunshot wound to the head.
Coombs said it was unknown if the man had taken his life prior to the arrival of police, who responded appropriately and cautiously to repots of an armed man, but were unable to make contact.
“They’d attempted to hail him,” Coombs said. “But with the allegation that he was armed the officers were also, obviously, concerned about placing themselves in harm’s way.”
(James Mitchell can be reached at [email protected])