By Joanna Putman
Police1
SHORELINE, Wash. — Newly-released footage shows how the Shoreline Police Department utilized drones to safely resolve a tense situation involving a man in mental crisis at a 7-Eleven, FOX 13 reported.
The man, who appeared distressed and possibly under the influence of substances during the Oct. 16 incident, had pushed a store clerk, forcing the employee to flee, and then barricaded himself inside, according to the report.
Shoreline Police officers, along with the King County Sheriff’s Office, responded after the man called 911, implying he or someone else in the store was armed. The man shut off the lights, heightening concerns about potential violence, according to the report.
“We had a heavy response because we thought we were dealing with something a little more violent,” Deputy Omar Jackson of the King County Sheriff’s Office told FOX 13. Crisis Negotiation Personnel, a Mental Health Professional K-9 and two drones were deployed to assist in the de-escalation effort.
One drone entered the darkened store, using its camera to clear the aisles and counters, video shows.
The drone eventually located the man, who had been hiding in a closet. Spooked by the device, the man jumped over the counter and surrendered.
“Please, what is that?” he asked as he exited the store.
The King County Sheriff’s Office noted that 911 operators were crucial in this situation as they spoke to the suspect and asked him to surrender so he could be helped.
He was taken into custody without incident and later transported to a hospital for evaluation and treatment, according to the report.
Shoreline Police Chief Tommy Collins highlighted the success of the department’s year-long use of drones in de-escalation efforts.
“The individual going through the mental health crisis, the deputies, the bystander, all the employees—nobody got hurt. It was resolved very peacefully, and we were really happy about that,” he said.
