YORK COUNTY, Pa. – Police utilize bean bags fired from a shotgun to neutralize an armed woman threatening suicide Monday afternoon.
Springettsbury Township Police responded at about 1:02 p.m. for a report of a woman in a vehicle who was threatening suicide with a gun.
Officers found the vehicle at around 1:52 p.m. parked and unoccupied in the 3400 block of Druck Valley Road. Officers from Hellam Township, Lower Windsor Township, York County Sheriff’s Department K-9 unit and York County Park Rangers immediately launched an extension search for the female. She was located at about 3:08 p.m. in an open faced barn in the 3500 block of North Sherman Street.
The female had a handgun to her chest and made it clear she wanted to die. Officers attempted to negotiate with her but she refused to put the gun down moving within the barn and out towards the opening. She was not responding to negotiations and made numerous statements about ending her life. When the opportune time presented itself Officers fired three less lethal bean bag rounds from a 12-gauge shotgun. At least two of the rounds struck the female who fell to the ground and dropped the gun.
Police were able to quickly move in, detain the woman and secure the .45 caliber handgun she was holding. The unidentified woman was taken to the hospital for medical treatment and will be involuntarily committed for psychiatric evaluation.
The investigation into the incident continues and is being investigated at this time which may result in criminal charges.
