Clermont police dispatch SWAT for possible suicidal man

Nov. 17--Clermont police dispatched a SWAT team after receiving a call today about a possibly armed and suicidal man, an agency spokesman said.

Police believe the man has locked himself inside a business in a shopping center at State Road 50 and Bloxam Avenue for about four hours as of 1:30 p.m. today. No shots have been fired and no one has been injured, police Sgt. Shane Strickland said.

"We have mental-health professionals on scene that are assisting with us with this," he said. "Eventually, at some point, we'll try to make an entry into the business. But we're trying to exhaust all other opportunities before it comes to that."

Police haven't confirmed that the man is inside the business but believe he is there because his car is there. They received a call from concerned family members about the man earlier today.

On Tuesday, the Clermont Police Department hosted a training session to demonstrate crisis-intervention techniques. The department is involved in a two-year pilot program in which a licensed clinician can attempt to divert offenders from jail to a more appropriate medical or mental-health solution.

The program has not yet been launched.

This is a breaking news story. Please check back later for updates.

jruiter@orlandosentinel.com or 352-742-5927.

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