A near tragedy came straight to the Seattle Police Southwest Precinct doorstep (2300 S.W. Webster St.) on Tuesday, Jan. 29, when a man pulled into their employee parking lot and put a gun to his own head.

Here are the details from Det. Renee Witt with Seattle Police:

A man drove up to the “Police Only” gate entrance to the parking lot at the Southwest Precinct and produced a handgun from his lap and pointed it at his own head. On Tuesday, just shortly after 5:00 p.m., the man drove to the Southwest Precinct “police only” gate entrance and asked an officer for help. The officer approached the driver’s side of the vehicle, and the male produced a 9mm handgun from his lap and pointed it at his own head.

The officer took a tactical position and advised dispatch of the situation. Several officers were in the precinct parking lot and began negotiating with the male. More officers arrived very shortly after the radio broadcast and took positions of cover.

An officer used his patrol car PA to talk to the male and give him instructions. The male was distraught and made a phone call while officers negotiated with him. An officer was able to get the male to drop the weapon out of the car window and exit the vehicle.
He was placed in custody without further incident. Seattle Fire was called for the male due to several self inflicted cuts to the wrist. He was eventually transported to Harborview.