Armed man dealing with mental health crisis safely taken into custody in Fond du Lac

Fond du Lac Police were able to safely resolve a situation on west Johnson Street yesterday.

Just after 2 p.m., police were sent to Motel 6, located at 649 W. Johnson Street, for a report of a 59-year-old Fond du Lac man experiencing a mental health crisis. The man had said he was in one of the motel rooms, armed with a handgun.

Responding officers prioritized the safety of hotel guests and staff by removing them from the building. Sabish Middle School, which is near the motel, was temporarily placed into a secure hold.

At that point, a Community Response Social Worker successfully established phone communication with the man and remained in contact with him for nearly an hour. Police Chief Aaron Goldstein said through patience, compassion, communication, and de-escalation efforts, the Community Response Social Worker was able to convince the man to peacefully exit the room unarmed. The individual was safely taken into protective custody without incident and transported to a local hospital for evaluation and care.

In a statement following the incident, Fond du Lac Police said
If you’re experiencing a mental health crisis, there are many services and support available to you whether you need someone to talk to, someone to respond, or you need a place to go.

If you’re in imminent danger or experiencing a medical emergency call 9-1-1. If you are having thoughts of suicide or hurting yourself, call the Fond du Lac County Crisis Line at 920-929-3535 or 9-8-8 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline for free and confidential support.