Updated: Oakley Police Work to Take Suicidal Man With a Gun Into Custody

Just before 7:30 pm Sunday, the Oakley Police Department responded to a welfare check on a male in the area of Carol Lane and Fairhaven Way in the City of Oakley.  While on scene, the male apparently pointed a firearm at an Oakley Police officer then sought refuge in the back of the home.

By 7:35 pm, this was deemed to be a suicidal subject having a  mental health crisis which prompted response from additional Oakley police officers, Antioch Police Department officers and Concord Police Department officers to set up a perimeter and begin speaking with the suspect.

According to preliminary information, the male was armed with a firearm and had hung up the phone on officers several times. It was also stated the firearm could possibly be a BB gun while at one point told officers he wanted to be shot by police.

By 8:38 pm, the suspect entered the backyard before being directed to go out the front door. The male complied with officer orders before being taken into custody at 8:41 pm.

Oakley Police are expected to release more information within the next several hours.

Crisis Response Information

If you are experiencing a potential crisis, or know someone who is, please contact 2-1-1.

The Contra Costa Crisis Center is a nonprofit organization, committed to provide free 24/7 services to everyone in need. The center meets the “gold seal” standard of service as it is nationally certified by the American Association of Suicidology.

You may also view more information and resources at: https://www.crisis-center.org/

Oakley Police Update – Chief Paul Beard

On January 15, 2023 at 7:15PM the Oakley Police Department was called to the 100 block of Carol Lane to conduct a welfare check on a 43 year old male resident who had been drinking and making threats to commit suicide to family members. This same person suffered a mental health crisis last week as well and had been hospitalized for it.

Oakley Police Officers arrived at 7:17PM and found the male to be in the backyard. Our officers tried to communicate with the male from their position on the side of the house, but the male responded by pointing a gun at them. Our officers retreated for cover and communicated the situation in order to get more officers and resources to the scene.

The Oakley Police Department activated our Crisis Negotiation Team and we called out our canine team from home. We also received assistance from the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office (extra officers to handle our perimeter) Antioch Police Department (drone operator) and the Concord Police Department (drone operator). Residents may have heard announcements coming from both the drones and public address speakers in efforts to have the male peacefully surrender.

While these communication efforts were taking place we also had an Oakley police officer making intermittent phone contact with the male. After the arrival of our crisis negotiators the male was convinced to peacefully surrender and he came out of the house unarmed and he was taken into custody by the officers without further incident.

Once the male was detained it was discovered he had taken pills in an attempt to end his life. The male was taken to a local hospital for medical treatment and also for the mental health crisis he was experiencing.

During our investigation it was determined the pistol that was brandished by the male was not actually a firearm, but rather a BB gun that was painted to look like a real semi-automatic pistol. Peace was restored to the neighborhood in about 1 ½ hours after this incident first began. A criminal investigation will be documented and forwarded to the Contra Costa District Attorneys Office for review. It was determined, in this case, the physical and mental health of the male outweighed the totality of his criminal actions.

“I am very proud of the composure, tactics and resourcefulness of the Oakley Police sergeant, and his officers, who were involved in tonight’s incident. It is my opinion a lot of teamwork went into this investigation and everything was done with the safety, of all concerned,  at the forefront of all of the decisions that were made. I am also very appreciative to the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff, the Antioch Police Department and the Concord Police Department for the assistance they provided us tonight.

Mental health issues are one of the most common calls for service we handle. I do hope the man who was in crisis tonight gets the services he needs to get through this chapter in his life. I would like to remind everybody of the 211 and 988 services that are available to everybody and I am sharing links to both of these services (https://www.211.org/get-help/mental-health https://988lifeline.org/current-events/the-lifeline-and-988/).