Maj. Justin Brown of the Franklinton Police Department said that FPD officers responded to an incident this weekend where a woman pointed a gun at herself, before the dangerous situation was resolved peacefully.

On Saturday, at approximately 9:39 p.m., the FPD was notified of a potentially suicidal person, located at 1409 Green St. in Franklinton, Brown said. Sgt. William Manning and Corp. James Pugh responded to the residence, where they made contact with a witness. While doing so, officers reportedly observed a woman point a handgun out of the front door.

Brown said that commands to drop the weapon were ignored and the woman regressed back into the residence, while placing the weapon to her head. The woman then entered an adjoining room, which was out of the officers’ view. Officers continued to try and communicate with the woman, but she would not respond.

Brown said that officers learned from a witness that the woman had been drinking alcohol and wanted to commit suicide by cop — she had stated she was going to get the officers to shoot her. Brown then arrived on scene and took over negotiations efforts. Brown was able to establish a line of communication with the woman, and after approximately 40 minutes was able to talk her into putting her weapon down on a table behind her.

Brown said that he approached the residence, in order to give the woman some items she had requested. When she reached for them, Brown was able to grab her arm and take her to the ground. The woman was restrained and subsequently checked by medical personnel. An Order of Protective Custody was obtained from the Coroner’s Office and the woman was transported to Riverside Medical Center for psychiatric evaluation.

“The situation was very tense and all the officers involved showed extraordinary restraint and professionalism,” Brown said. “One of our primary goals is and always will be the preservation of life. Despite the woman’s wish to commit ‘suicide by cop,’ officers were able to utilize their training and bring the situation to a peaceful conclusion. Our thoughts and prayers are with the woman and her family. Our hope is that she is able to receive the necessary resources for treatment.”

Brown also thanked several agencies for their assistance, including the Louisiana State Police and Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office.