A suicidal man was admitted to a psychiatric unit after a standoff with police in Watermill on Sunday afternoon.
Southampton Town Police received a 911 call from a family member who reported that a man in their home was in an alcohol-induced rage, smashing the windows in the residence, throwing objects out them and threatening suicide shortly after 3 p.m.
The family member added that the man was an avid hunter and that he was in possession of numerous rifles, shotguns and archery bows. Upon arrival, officers learned that the man involved is a 34-year-old with a history of emotional problems who was not taking his prescribed medications. His name and address were not released by police.
The man was violently swinging a baseball bat within the home, police said. Officers ensured that all others had safely left the home while police surrounded the home and requested Crisis/Hostage Negotiators and the Emergency Services Unit.
After a negotiator spoke with the man, a brief standoff ensued where the man continued his suicidal threats and told the negotiator that he had no intention of settling the incident peacefully and wanted the officers to kill him. While the negotiator continued to talk to the man, members of the Emergency Services Unit snuck inside and took the man into custody after a brief struggle.
The man was taken to Southampton Hospital for treatment of minor injuries and was then transferred to a psychiatric unit for a mental health evaluation. He does not face any criminal charges from the incident.
Police found that the man had three shotguns and two rifles in his possession, although they were not loaded. The weapons were confiscated by police.