VIDEO: Person Saved After Cutting Throat Outside Minneapolis Hospital
BY MN CRIME STAFF
Deputies and negotiators outside HCMC on Thursday. SUBMITTED
Hennepin County deputies used less-lethal munitions to break the windows of a vehicle after a person in crisis started cutting their own throat outside Hennepin Healthcare in Minneapolis.
The sheriff's office said deputies assigned to the hospital responded Thursday morning after a person blocked traffic and was observed actively cutting themself on the head with multiple knives.
HCSO crisis negotiators arrived within minutes and spent about two hours talking with the person, trying to get them to put down the weapons and accept help.
Chicago Ave and South 6th Street were shut down during the standoff and part of the emergency room was placed on lockdown.
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The sheriff's office said the person appeared to be responding to negotiators and was considering getting out of the vehicle when, without warning, they began to cut their own throat. Deputies then used less lethal munitions to break the car windows and gain access so they could save the person's life.
Bystander video shows multiple deputies surrounding a black SUV near the hospital, the vehicle's windows broken out. Deputies can be seen pulling the person from the vehicle with visible blood on their face and head as Hennepin EMS paramedics and members of the Minneapolis Behavioral Crisis Team moved in to assist.
The person was taken into the hospital for treatment and an update on their condition was not available as of publication.
The sheriff's office said a crowd of 20 to 30 people gathered during the incident, shouting obscenities and escalating tensions even after deputies communicated what was happening.
READ MORE > Hennepin County coverage
"In situations like this, where there is someone actively in a crisis, even something small can be a huge trigger," the sheriff's office said in a written statement.
"We understand there are strong emotions in our community following Operation Metro Surge, but our local law enforcement continues to carry out difficult and important work. We ask that community members allow deputies to do their jobs safely and respectfully."
The Hennepin County Sheriff's Office, Minneapolis Police Department, Minneapolis Behavioral Crisis Team and Hennepin Healthcare paramedics all responded to the scene.
Video submitted by Taylor Severson
Deputies and negotiators outside HCMC on Thursday. SUBMITTED by Taylor Severson
The sheriff's office said deputies assigned to the hospital responded Thursday morning after a person blocked traffic and was observed actively cutting themself on the head with multiple knives.