BEMIDJI, MN (trfnews.i234.me) – We have an update from Bemidji Police regarding a subject who was pepperballed Thursday night. The male subject was apparently suffering a mental health episode.
On July 11th, at 8:45 p.m., Bemidji police responded to a welfare check at a residence on 21st Street Northwest. Officers learned that a 35-year-old male had been acting erratically throughout the day and had made suicidal comments.
Upon arrival, officers attempted to verbally de-escalate the man, who was in a heightened emotional state. They determined that he was suffering from a mental health episode and exhibiting delusions. The subject then produced a knife and began wielding it, making comments requesting officers to shoot him. This presented a heightened risk to public safety.
Officers continued their verbal de-escalation tactics, requesting the subject to drop the knife. Ultimately, pepper ball munitions were deployed, causing the subject to drop the knife. This allowed Bemidji police officers and Beltrami County deputies to safely take the individual into custody on a medical hold. The subject was transported to the hospital for mental health treatment. There are no charges pending at this time.
Bemidji police were assisted at the scene by the Beltrami County Sheriff’s Office, Minnesota State Patrol, and Bemidji Ambulance Service.
I’m Neil Berg reporting for trfnews.i234.me here