Hoquiam Police seize pistol from allegedly suicidal man

April 11--An allegedly suicidal Cosmopolis man had an old, Derringer-style pistol seized from him by Hoquiam police after officers found the firearm in the man's backpack Thursday, said Hoquiam Police Chief Jeff Myers.

Shortly before 2 p.m.Hoquiam officers responded to a possible suicidal subject in the area of 31st Street and Sumner Avenue after trying to locate a 31-year-old Cosmopolis man at a local motel earlier. The man had made threats to harm himself via text message to family members, who reported finding him on the street where they tried to detain him until police arrived.

When Sgt. Jeff Salstrom responded to the scene, the man fled down an alley on foot. Salstrom was able to overtake the man and start a conversation regarding his thoughts to harm himself. After talking, the man went to Grays Harbor Community Hospital voluntarily to talk with a mental health professional.

The man's family members were concerned the man had been in possession of an old Derringer-style pistol he may have been carrying inside a backpack earlier in the day, but he did not have the backpack when he was contact by Salstrom.

Officer Donald Grossi checked the alley and located an abandoned backpack as described. He located items inside the backpack which appeared to belong to the despondent man, as well as a pistol with ammunition.

The firearm was seized as evidence as the man is a respondent in domestic violence no-contact protection order form Cosmopolis whereby he is prohibited from possessing a firearm. The case for unlawful possession of a firearm will be forwarded to the Grays Harbor County Prosecutor's Office for charges, said Myers.

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