Man making 'suicidal and homicidal statements' with handgun in Centralia arrested after standoff  

A man with a handgun who was making suicidal and homicidal statements inside a vehicle in the 2200 block of North Tower Avenue Thursday morning surrendered to police following an hours-long standoff and has been taken into custody, according to the Centralia Police Department.

No injuries resulting from the standoff were reported.

The standoff began after the Centralia Police Department received a third-party report of a domestic dispute taking place in the Ahlers Avenue area at about 8:40 a.m. on July 25, according to a news release from the department Thursday afternoon.

“Upon arrival, officers discovered that the male subject had left the area in a gray vehicle … Officers also learned that the male was in possession of a handgun; however, the handgun was not used in the crime,” the Centralia Police Department said in the news release.

Officers soon located the man, who was not identified by the Centralia Police Department on Thursday, in his vehicle in the 2200 block of North Tower Avenue.

“When contacted, the male subject made suicidal and homicidal statements while in

possession of a handgun. A standoff ensued which ultimately necessitated deployment of the

Centralia Police Department Critical Response Unit (CRU) and a negotiator,” the Centralia Police Department said in the news release. “After several hours of productive negotiation, the male surrendered himself and was safely taken into custody.”

The male was interviewed on scene by Lewis County Mobile Crisis personnel and then

transported to Providence Centralia Hospital for a mental health evaluation, according to the news release. When cleared, the Centralia Police Department said he will be booked into Lewis County Jail for third-degree malicious mischief, domestic violence.

“The Centralia Police Department commends the preparedness of its patrol officers and tactical

teams, including CRU and negotiators, for producing a safe resolution for all involved parties

today. Controlled outcomes such as these are a reflection of hours of specialized instruction and

Training,” the Centralia Police Department said in the news release. “Today’s incident marks the second CRU deployment in the past month. Centralia Police Department also wishes to thank the Lewis County Mobile Crisis Team and American Medical Response for their assistance.”

No other information is being released at this time, the Centralia Police Department stated.