For the Tomahawk Leader
MERRILL – Local law enforcement responded to a report of an armed subject in Merrill on Tuesday, March 28.
According to a Wednesday, March 29 release from Merrill Police Department (MPD) Chief Corey Bennett, at approximately 3 p.m., officers responded to the area of Grand Ave. and State St. “for a subject making threats primarily focused on self-harm by officer.”
The subject, who was not identified by MPD, was “reportedly armed with bladed or edged weapons,” the release said.
Upon arrival, officers established a perimeter that “restricted public traffic,” and after attempting to initiate contact with the subject, MPD command staff, personnel on the scene and SRT leadership with the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office made a “unified decision” to “disengage from the scene rather than force a potential deadly encounter by obtaining a warrant to enter the home,” according to the release.
“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,” the release stated.
The release said contact was established with the subject at approximately 3:15 p.m. on Wednesday, March 29 “after multiple continued attempts,” at which time the subject voluntarily cooperated with law enforcement and was detained “pending further investigation into the original circumstances and to provide other forms of assistance.”
“We will continue to resolve this specific investigation and initiate any assistance this subject may require,” the release stated.
No additional details were released.
“We would like to thank our partners at the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office for their swift response and assistance,” the release said.