BY TINA L. SCOTT
EDITOR
On Tuesday, March 28, 2023, at about 3:00 p.m. the Merrill Police Department (MPD) responded to the report of a person “making threats primarily focused on self-harm by officer,” near the area of Grand Ave. and State St. in Merrill, according to a press release issued by the MPD. Residents in the area were notified and asked to remain indoors, and no one was allowed to come into the area during the time officers were assessing the situation.
“The subject was reportedly armed with bladed or edged weapons,” MPD Police Chief Corey Bennett said in the release.
Trained to respond to potential crisis situations, officers took immediate preventative action to protect the public, neighbors, and any others who might be in contact with the person who was the subject of the call, by establishing a secure perimeter around the residence where the subject was located. Officers took all necessary precautions but handled the alleged threat in a manner consistent with de-escalation.
“The subject remained in the residence and would not come out to officers for further investigation of the problem,” the release said. “After a length of time trying to initiate contact and voluntary compliance, a threat assessment was completed by our command staff, personnel on scene, and consultation with Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office SRT leadership. At that time a unified decision was made to disengage from the scene rather than force a potential deadly encounter by obtaining a warrant to enter the home.”
“Other facts taken into consideration included no known threat to the community at large, no known felonies involved, and other occupants of the dwelling being placed in a safe location until this situation is further investigated and resolved,” he said.
The following day, the MPD made multiple follow-up attempts and established contact with the individual at approximately 3:15 p.m. on March 29.
“The subject voluntarily cooperated with law enforcement at that time,” the release said. “The subject was detained pending further investigation into the original circumstances and to provide other forms of assistance.”
The MPD considers this an active investigation and is working to initiate any assistance the subject may require.