On June 5th at approximately 6:30 p.m., in the area of 24C Overlook Drive, Winthrop police were called when their assistance was needed in a “mental health matter”.
Winthrop Police arrived on the scene and investigated the 911 call where a man had claimed to want to commit suicide by cop. The suspect told police that they were armed with multiple weapons and were also reportedly wearing a bulletproof vest. Massachusetts State Police from Troop A, Negotiators and the STOP team were then called in to assist with the situation.
Negotiations with the suspect lasted for around seven hours. During this time residents in the immediate area were temporarily evacuated as a precaution as police secured the area. Revere Street was closed from Crest Avenue to Shirley Street to ensure the safety of other citizens while the negotiations continued.
After a tense seven hours, the suspect was finally taken into custody and transported for mental health evaluation as well as to receive care. The situation in Winthrop was safely resolved early Monday morning thanks to the tactical efficiency of state police negotiators, STOP Team, and all other involved assets.
If you, or someone you know, is struggling with mental illness or is suffering from suicidal ideation please contact The Massachusetts Department of Mental Health for resources, or call 800-273-8255.
