Police close part of Harrison Avenue as they negotiate with person threatening suicide
Olympia police closed part of Harrison Avenue Northwest Friday to negotiate with an armed driver who ultimately died by suicide.
A crisis response unit and Thurston County negotiators responded to the scene with Olympia police officers, said Lt. Paul Lower. They closed Harrison Avenue between Division and Kenyon streets, blocking traffic for about five hours.
At around 2 p.m. police pulled over a driver in an orange car after getting a tip the person was armed and suicidal, Lower said. The driver stopped and police talked to the driver for about three hours but were unsuccessful at persuading the person not to use the gun, he added. First responders transported the driver to the hospital about 5 p.m. but the person ultimately died, Lower said.
The road was reopened after 7 p.m., Lower said.
The driver was the only occupant in the vehicle and no other people were in danger, he added.
If you or someone you know is struggling, the Crisis Clinic of Thurston and Mason Counties operates a confidential, anonymous crisis intervention hotline 24 hours a day, every day of the year at 360-586-2800.
This story was originally published January 29, 2021 at 4:00 PM.
