TOWN OF HYDE PARK – Police responded a 911 call from a distraught male at 4 Watertower Rd. in the Town of Hyde Park. The caller reported that he had self-inflicted stab wounds and had barricaded himself in the bathroom of the residence. Upon officers’ arrival, the subject James Havens, 41, was on the front porch and was brandishing a kitchen knife. He told responding officers repeatedly that he wanted the police to “shoot him” and “end it all right now”. He also stated to responding officers that “I’m going to die tonight so why don’t one of you walk through the door so you can come with me”.
Officers were informed by the subject’s father that there were firearms in the house. The subject then retreated into the house and began throwing objects at police officers.
Hyde Park officers were joined at the scene by uniformed members of the New York State Police, Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office as well as Hyde Park Fire Department, Northern Dutchess Paramedics, and Mobile Life Support Tactical Paramedics.
Negotiators from the New York State Police, Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office and the City of Poughkeepsie Police Department were able to establish communications with the subject while the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Department Emergency Services Unit established a perimeter around the house.
After approximately two hours of sporadic contact with the subject in which he would become increasingly agitated and threatening and ultimately disconnect, the subject agreed to come out of the house. He was taken into custody without incident at approximately 6:30 pm. He was found to have superficial lacerations and was taken to Mid-Hudson Regional Hospital for treatment and mental health evaluation.
The investigation is continuing.
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