A 59-year-old Creston man was taken into custody early Sunday after an hours-long standoff at his home. Police said the incident began when he forced his way into a neighbor’s residence and threatened an occupant.
Officers were dispatched shortly after 10:15 p.m. Saturday to a reported domestic disturbance in the 600 block of West Adams Street, according to kmaland.com. Police said the man tried to enter a neighboring home, forced his way through the door and threatened someone inside. He later armed himself with a large knife and barricaded himself in a bathroom at his own residence, Western Iowa Today reported.
Information That Shaped the Response
During the response, officers learned the man was experiencing a mental health crisis and could pose an immediate danger to himself and others, according to the KMALand account. Officers attempted to negotiate, and Creston police requested assistance from the Iowa State Patrol and the Ringgold County Sheriff’s Office.
After nearly an hour of negotiations, the man came out of the bathroom and moved toward officers while holding the knife, KMALand reported. He did not comply with commands to drop it. Officers deployed a less-lethal impact munition, which struck him, and he went back into the bathroom still armed.
The Standoff’s Outcome
Negotiations continued for several more hours. When they did not resolve the standoff, officers deployed chemical munitions into the bathroom, according to the reports.
The man came out early Sunday and was taken into custody without further use of force, Western Iowa Today reported. He had injuries from the impact munition as well as additional self-inflicted injuries. Greater Regional Hospital EMS personnel treated him at the scene before he was taken to a hospital for a mental health evaluation.
Investigation and Charges
Criminal charges remained under consideration pending further investigation, according to KMALand. Creston police thanked the Union County Sheriff’s Office, Ringgold County Sheriff’s Office, Iowa State Patrol, Creston Fire Department and Greater Regional Hospital for their assistance, Western Iowa Today reported.
The Creston Police Department said armed-person mental health crises pose significant challenges for law enforcement. It also pointed to crisis intervention, cooperation among agencies, and less-lethal equipment and training as important to resolving such incidents without more serious injury, according to Western Iowa Today.
Behavioral-Health Crisis Support
For people seeking support beyond a police response, Iowa Health & Human Services says anyone in immediate crisis or having suicidal thoughts can call or text 9-8-8 any time. The department also lists Your Life Iowa as a 24/7 resource for mental health, substance use and related concerns at 855-581-8111.
