Area Evacuated During 2-Hour West Warwick Suicidal Standoff: Police

WEST WARWICK, RI — A man holding a handgun to his chest near a hotel parking lot dropped the firearm after a two-hour standoff and was hospitalized for a mental health evaluation, police said.

Officers responded to the wood line in back of a hotel parking lot on James P. Murphy Industrial Highway about 1:30 p.m. to investigate a report of a "despondent male in possession of a handgun," the West Warwick Police Department said in a media release.

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"Upon arrival, Officers located the individual, who was holding a handgun to his chest and threatening self-harm," the release said. "Out of an abundance of caution, the immediate area was evacuated while Officers established communication with the male."

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For nearly two hours, officers engaged in "intensive negotiation efforts" with the man before he "agreed to drop the handgun peacefully," according to the release.

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"He was then taken into protective custody and transported by rescue personnel to a local hospital for a mental health evaluation," the release said.

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Anyone struggling with suicidal thoughts can get help by calling 988 to reach the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, 24-hour, toll-free, confidential suicide prevention hotline available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. Calls are routed to the nearest crisis center in a national network, where callers receive crisis counseling and mental health referrals.