Pasadena Officers Defuse Tense Standoff with Suicidal Man

A potentially tragic situation was averted on Tuesday when Pasadena police officers successfully de-escalated a tense standoff with a suicidal man, according to Lt. Edgar Sanchez of the Pasadena Police Department.

The incident began when officers responded to a call from the man’s ex-girlfriend, who reported that the 21-year-old Pasadena resident had hit his head on a dresser and was threatening further self-harm before fleeing in a white Dodge Charger.

With the aid of the Department’s airship, officers quickly located the man’s vehicle on Sunset Avenue and initiated a traffic stop, Sanchez said.

The suspect, who had visible head injuries consistent with the ex-girlfriend’s report, initially cooperated and requested that the officer follow him home.

However, Sanchez said the situation took a turn when the man abruptly drove away, prompting a pursuit involving additional police units.

The chase, authorized by a supervisor at the scene, came to an end when the suspect pulled over near the intersection of Howard Street and Fair Oaks Avenue.

As the man exited his vehicle, he expressed suicidal intent and pleaded with officers to shoot him, according to Sanchez. The officers employed de-escalation techniques to safely detain the individual without further incident.

Paramedics from the Pasadena Fire Department treated the man at the scene before transporting him to Huntington Hospital for further evaluation. He was cited for evading law enforcement and placed on a psychiatric hold.

The incident underscores the critical role that law enforcement officers play in responding to mental health crises and the importance of effective crisis intervention training, an official said.

Help is available all the time:

National Suicide Hotline (988 Lifeline): Dial 988 for 24/7 support

Didi Hirsch 24-hour Crisis Line: 1-877-727-4747 (en Español: 1-800-628-9454) 

LGBTQ – The Trevor Lifeline: 1-866-488-7386

Trans Crisis Line (Trans Lifeline): 1-877-565-8860

Crisis Text Line: Text HELLO to 741-741