SARATOGA SPRINGS – A standoff in Saratoga Springs lasted more than four hours and ended as police deployed tear gas.
The standoff began at about 7:30 a.m. in the area of Jefferson and Crescent streets as police went to an apartment building to check on the welfare of a resident, police spokesman Lt. Robert Jillson said.
Police went there after receiving a call from a concerned third party who was concerned that a man in his 70s there was at risk of taking his own life, Jillson said.
Images: Photos from Tuesday’s standoff in Saratoga Springs
Officers responded, but he man wouldn’t come to the door. They soon established phone communication with the man and the conversation raised further concerns with officers, Jillson said.
“He wasn’t in a good place. He talked about harming himself and going down that road,” Jillson said.
The man also implied he had a weapon Jillson said. Police believed he was in there alone. Officers also evacuated other apartments in the building.
As the event played out, Jillson called it a possibility that the man may have been attempting a suicide by cop.
Police brought in two negotiators who talked with him through much of the standoff, attempting to get him to come out.
Police also brought in the Saratoga County Special Operations Team because of the possibility of the weapon, Jillson said.
Images: Photos from Tuesday’s standoff in Saratoga Springs
Communications eventually broke down and police chose to use the gas. Police deployed the gas, went in and took him into custody just before noon. He was taken to Saratoga Hospital for an evaluation.
The building was being ventilated from the gas early Tuesday afternoon and residents were being allowed back inside.
Categories: -News-, Saratoga County
