For Immediate Release

Sunday, Sept. 25, 2016

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 978-743-0004
Email: john@jgpr.net

Pepperell Police Apprehend Armed, Suicidal Man

PEPPERELL –  Chief David Scott reports that the Pepperell Police Department subdued an armed man who was allegedly trying to commit “suicide by cop” early this morning.

At approximately 7:15 a.m., police officers responded to a report of a disturbance at a Jersey Street residence caused by a man who had returned home from the hospital before being discharged. Upon arrival, officers were advised that the subject fled on foot, armed with a knife, and stated to family members that he was going to get police officers to shoot him.

Pepperell Police established a perimeter surrounding the subject’s home. Off-duty Pepperell officers, members of the Groton and Dunstable police departments, and a mutual aid K-9 unit were called in to assist.

Eventually the subject was located running inside the perimeter and was taken into custody after a brief foot pursuit.  Officers located a knife on his person, but the subject never threatened the officers with the weapon.

The male subject was taken to a local hospital for a mental health evaluation. His name is not being released at this time.

Chief Scott praised the work of Pepperell police and responding agencies for their patience and use of de-escalation tactics with the subject, who was known to the department.

“A suicide-by-cop scenario is one of the most intense calls an officer can respond to,” Chief Scott said. “However, our officers showed patience and restraint for a man who is known to police as being mentally unstable. I commend both their quick thinking and use of tactical force to ensure no one was hurt during this encounter.”

Pepperell Police will be referring the subject to the Community Outreach Initiative Network (COIN) clinician, recently launched by Chief Scott and neighboring police departments. Thorugh grant funding from the Department of Mental Health, COIN seeks to connect individuals suffering from substance use and mental health disorders to services and treatment options available to them.

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