BLOOMFIELD — Officers from the Bloomfield Police Department successfully deescalated a potentially lethal situation early Sunday morning after a traffic stop led to a confrontation with an armed suspect threatening “suicide by cop.”
At 12:30 a.m. on Jan. 26, Officer Loignon initiated a stop of a Honda Accord on the intersection of Blue Hills Avenue and Gilbert Avenue.
The vehicle’s registration was found to be mismatched upon inspection.
Additional officers, Vega and Polanco, arrived to provide assistance.
During the encounter, the male driver, who admitted to having several gun charges and active warrants, refused to exit the vehicle and suggested the situation would escalate if he did.
He hinted he was armed and uncooperative with the officers’ requests.
Hartford Police Department officers arrived to support the Bloomfield team.
Following a tense standoff, both the male driver and a female passenger were safely removed from the vehicle without any physical harm.
The man was taken to a hospital for a Police Emergency Exam Request after divulging he was struggling with mental health issues and had hoped to provoke officers into shooting him.
The Bloomfield Police Department commended the restraint and professionalism displayed by the officers involved, highlighting the successful outcome without loss of life or injury.
The department emphasized the importance of de-escalation tactics and mental health awareness in policing.
The incident serves as a reminder of the resources available for those experiencing a mental health crisis.
Individuals in need of support are encouraged to contact the Suicide Hotline at 988.