Auburn, CA – On Thursday afternoon May 9, 2024, at approximately 2:00 pm, The Nevada County Regional Dispatch Center received a 911 call from a witness reporting they could hear a man yelling outside of a Lake of the Pines home in apparent crisis, making threats of using a firearm. Deputies and allied agencies responded immediately, as additional calls were received by dispatch with similar reported circumstances. One of those additional calls was from an FBI Threat Assessment Center reporting the suspect had called them and was making several concerning statements about weapons and threats to engage law enforcement in a gun battle. The man retreated into his residence where two additional family members were located, before authorities arrived. Once deputies were on scene, a perimeter was established around the home, and nearby residents and schools were alerted.

Nevada County Sheriff Deputies and our internal specialized units including our Co-Responder Mobile Crisis Team, Critical Incident Negotiation Team, Special Enforcement Detail, and Tactical Dispatch Team responded to the scene to assist in the active critical incident. Partnering agencies also arrived from Placer County Sheriff’s Office, California Highway Patrol, and Grass Valley Police Department with personnel and resources, as did medical aid from Sierra Nevada Ambulance and Cal Fire who remained on standby during the incident.

Crisis negotiators were able to make periodic phone contact with the suspect and at one point he let one of the family members speak briefly to advise they were uninjured, but then disconnected the call. After several tense hours, negotiators were able to deescalate the situation and the two family members exited the home, followed shortly afterwards by the suspect at approximately 5:00 pm. The man was detained without further incident and transported to the hospital for evaluation and treatment. A search of the home confirmed that legally owned firearms were accessible, but none had been used and the family members present were not injured. The guns were taken for safekeeping and investigators sought a Gun Violence Restraining Order, which was issued by the Nevada County Superior Court. The suspect remains hospitalized and is not expected to face criminal charges.

We want to thank the agencies that responded to assist and all the staff that contributed to a safe resolution for this family. We would also like to take this opportunity to share that help is always available for persons in crisis by calling the 24/7 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988, or 911 in an emergency.