Suicidal subject taken into custody at Saline Police Department

by Marsha Chartrand

Marlene Radzik, Police Chief of the City of Saline, released a statement on Sunday afternoon on an incident in Saline. It explained that at approximately 8:04am, Sunday, December 29, a 39-year-old man from Manchester arrived at the Saline police station at city hall in the City of Saline and fired three rounds from a semi-automatic pistol. There were no injuries and the man was taken into custody.

From the statement: “Prior to arriving at our police station, Michigan State Police troopers were dispatched to his residence in Manchester, investigating a call about him being ‘suicidal.’ Michigan State Police troopers interviewed the caller; however, the 39-year-old man had already left his residence in his vehicle.

“Shortly after leaving his residence, the subject arrived at our police station and called Metro-Dispatch, informing the dispatch operator he was suicidal and wanted police to shoot him. It was at this time the subject began firing additional rounds, at least one of which was at the occupied police station. With the assistance of the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office, Milan Police Department, Ann Arbor Police Department, Pittsfield Township Police Department, and Michigan State Police the situation was de-escalated, and the subject was taken into custody, unharmed, at 8:22am. Two handguns possessed by the suspect were located and confiscated. This incident is still under investigation, and we are determining what charges will be submitted to our Washtenaw County Prosecutor’s Office. However, remember that this subject is being provided the help he needs. This incident highlights the importance of mental health support and the challenges faced by law enforcement when dealing with individuals in crisis.

“This incident was contained inside the perimeter of the Saline Police Department/City Hall parking lot. Some roads were briefly closed as a safety precaution. There is no threat to our community, and on behalf of the Saline Police Department, we would like to extend our gratitude to the agencies mentioned above as well as our Metro-Dispatch personnel.”

Manchester City Manager Michael Sessions confirmed that the subject is indeed a resident of the City of Manchester, and noted that this is the third suicide call to which law enforcement has responded in the City during the month of December. A city official stated that there is no present danger within the City due to any of these incidents.

Chief Radzik’s statement included contact info for mental health support. Anyone in Washtenaw County can call the CARES team 24/7 at 734-544-3050 for mental health help. If you feel suicidal, you can call 988 or text 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

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by Marsha Chartrand

Marsha Johnson Chartrand, a founder, writer, and copy editor with the Manchester Mirror, is a 50-year resident of Manchester. She has a long history of volunteer and community involvement.