Grand Forks police blocked off Linden Court between 13th Avenue South and 15th Avenue South for four hours Monday afternoon while responding to reports of a man threatening suicide at a nearby home.
At about 7:35 p.m., the man, who was not identified by police, exited his residence located on the 1400 block of Linden Court and was taken to Altru Hospital for evaluation, according to a news release.
Grand Forks Police Lt. Derik Zimmel said Monday night criminal charges are a possibility but are secondary to the health and wellbeing of the man.
"Not only do we want to make sure this incident is resolved for today but get his needs addressed so there's not future incidents," he added.
Grand Forks Police were called to the residence at 3:30 p.m. Monday by a "local service provider" who the individual had contacted and expressed suicidal thoughts to, Zimmel said. The individual told police he had a firearm and was threatening to harm himself.
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The Grand Forks Regional SWAT Team and Crisis Negotiations Team also were called to the scene.
Officers had been communicating with the man by phone, but the news release said he swayed between being cooperative and uncooperative.
After the man took several steps to prevent further communication with officers, eventually a flash grenade was deployed, and shortly afterward the man exited the residence.
"At that point, we needed to do something to get his attention, and that's where this comes in," Zimmel said. "You knock at the door and let someone know you wish to speak to them. Consider this a very loud knock."
During negotiations, the individual threatened to shoot officers, which Zimmel said is "not uncommon" in crisis situations like this.
"It's more of a defensive threat. 'Stay away from me or I'll shoot,'" Zimmel said.
The incident is still considered under investigation, and the police department asks anyone with information about it to call (701) 787-8000.
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline can be reached at 1-800-273-8255.
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