A woman suspected of holding a firearm to her head while she was apparently experiencing a mental health crisis ended after authorities intervened Wednesday in Desert Hot Springs.
Officers responded to a firearm call Wednesday in the area of Pierson Boulevard and Cactus Drive, according to the Desert Hot Springs Police Department.
With assistance from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, they made multiple attempts to communicate with her to drop the unspecified firearm, but she refused. As a result, a “less-lethal option was ultimately utilized,” police said.
The woman, whose identity was not revealed, was taken to a hospital to receive mental health treatment.
“Mental health emergencies are often unpredictable and require patience, compassion and sound decision-making. We are grateful that this incident concluded without further injury,” the department stated in a Facebook post.
The circumstances leading up to the incident were not immediately clear.