Man ‘having mental health emergency’ detained after wielding a knife in Juneau

Juneau Police Department received a report at 4:24 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 3, about a 52-year-old man with a knife in the middle of the intersection at Main Street and Juneau Drive, according to a Juneau Police Department news release.

Officers responded to the report and contacted the Juneau man, who appeared to be under the influence of unknown substance.

He was having a mental health emergency, the report said.

The man said  he was using the knife to defend himself from imaginary animals that were attacking him, the release said.

Officers had drawn their handguns because of the potential threat of the man with a knife.

Officers ordered the man to drop the knife, which he did.

He was then handcuffed and taken to Bartlett Regional Hospital for medical evaluation.

He was later admitted to the hospital for further treatment of mental health issues and substance abuse.

Sign up for The Signal

Top Alaska stories delivered to your inbox every week

Site notifications
Update notification options
Subscribe to notifications