Potential Armed Confrontation Resolved With Tactical Team Help

From NPS Incidents:
GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK
Potential Armed Confrontation Resolved With Tactical Team Help

NPS investigators yesterday afternoon attempted to contact a man with an outstanding warrant against him who was visiting a local resident and staying in a house in the park’s residential area. Because he was believed to be armed, every precaution was taken to assure the safety of their team and local residents. When repeated efforts to engage the man failed, a perimeter was established around the house while investigators tried to communicate with him and the Flagstaff Tactical Operations Team – a highly trained tactical response team made up of members of the Flagstaff Police Department and the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office – was called in to provide support, assistance and a tactical response if needed. At the same time, all nearby residences were evacuated and the roads into the area were closed off. When the tactical team arrived, a joint command was established and the team’s negotiator joined in the efforts to elicit a response from the man, but he did not respond. At approximately 7:30 p.m., having exhausted all other options, the tactical team entered the house and found the man dead from an apparently self-inflicted gunshot wound. The body has been transferred to the Coconino County Medical Examiner.  The name of the deceased is being withheld pending notification of next of kin. The park has extended its thanks to the team for its quick response and assistance in resolving this incident.