A reportedly suicidal male was found with a handgun in Waterfront Park by Bath police late Monday morning.
According to a press release issued Monday afternoon, Bath police began searching for a 41-year-old man at approximately 11:34 a.m. after receiving a report from a resident that the man, her tenant, may be suicidal and on foot in the downtown area.
Sgt. Dan Couture took the report and passed on the information to Officer Mark Steele. After a short time, Steele located the male in the waterfront park just off Commercial Street in Bath.
Steele approached the man in an attempt to make contact with him. In doing so, he noticed the man had a handgun in his hand, according to the release. Steele backed away and took cover as the man stayed in the park, by the picnic tables next to Bath Fuel.
Steele advised Couture of the situation and Couture responded to assist. As other officers arrived to provide backup, the man allegedly fired his weapon into the ground.
Officers from numerous law enforcement agencies also responded to assist, including deputies from the Sagadahoc County Sheriff ’s Office, officers from Brunswick Police Department and a trooper from the Maine State Police. Bath Fire Department assisted with blocking off roadways as well.
Police say the man paced back and forth near the park’s picnic area and was not responsive to their attempts to communicate with them. During this time he held the handgun at his side facing the ground. Meanwhile, the frigid temperatures hovered at about 15 degrees with gusting winds.
The perimeter was secured and after police attempted to communicate with the man for about an hour, he finally obeyed commands issued by Couture and put the weapon down and approached the officers with his hands raised.
He was taken into custody and brought to Mid Coast Hospital in Brunswick for a mental health evaluation. It is possible criminal charges will be forthcoming after the mental health professionals treat him. His name would only be released if and when police charge him as a result of the incident.
“This was a very tense situation,” said Bath Police Lt. Robert Savary. “Law enforcement officers from three different agencies responded to this incident and worked extremely well together. The cold temperatures and gusty winds made it even more challenging, but in the end we had a peaceful resolution and hopefully this man can get the help he needs.”
IN ADDITION to Bath police, officers from numerous law enforcement agencies responded to assist, including deputies from the Sagadahoc County Sheriff’s Office, officers from Brunswick Police Department and a trooper from the Maine State Police. Bath Fire Department assisted with blocking off roadways.
The Times Record Sustaining Sponsor
We believe a community must be informed to thrive. bowdoin.edu
Comments are not available on this story. Read more about why we allow commenting on some stories and not on others.
We believe it's important to offer commenting on certain stories as a benefit to our readers. At its best, our comments sections can be a productive platform for readers to engage with our journalism, offer thoughts on coverage and issues, and drive conversation in a respectful, solutions-based way. It's a form of open discourse that can be useful to our community, public officials, journalists and others.
We do not enable comments on everything — exceptions include most crime stories, and coverage involving personal tragedy or sensitive issues that invite personal attacks instead of thoughtful discussion.
You can read more here about our commenting policy and terms of use. More information is also found on our FAQs.
Show less