On Friday, Dec. 13 at approximately 9:35 a.m., deputies at Crescenta Valley Station were contacted by the Sierra Madre Police Dept. regarding a suicidal male adult who was missing. Officers from Sierra Madre were told by family that the male had threatened to commit suicide and had a firearm with him. During their investigation, the officers established contact with the patient and learned he was on Angeles Crest Highway in the forest. Further, the patient told the officers he had fired one round from the gun.

Crescenta Valley Station Deputy Martin and Reserve Deputy Hairapetian responded to mile marker 33 on Angeles Crest Highway.

The deputies saw a person slumped over in the vehicle. When they attempted to contact the occupant, they saw him move and also saw the barrel of a rifle.The deputies backed away from the vehicle and called for assisting units.

While the deputies were attempting to convince the patient to safely step out of the truck, Officer Shaw from Sierra Madre PD was on the phone with the patient.With the combined efforts of Officer Shaw and the deputies on scene, the patient set the rifle down and exited the vehicle.The patient was safely detained by deputies and treated by Los Angeles County Fire Personnel.

Deputies on scene recovered a rifle from the vehicle and saw it was jammed. The patient did not have any injuries from the incident. The male was transported to a local hospital for treatment.

Anyone who has suicidal thoughts should contact the Los Angeles County Dept. of Mental Health Crisis Hotline at (800) 854-7771 for help. If it is a life threatening emergency, call 9-1-1 for immediate assistance.