Officers apprehend suicidal men

Two men are in custody after barricading themselves in their homes and making suicidal threats in separate incidents on Thursday and Friday.

Brandon Bell, 36, of Hungry Horse, surrendered to Flathead County sheriff’s deputies, while Tyler Erickson, 20, of Polson, surrendered to members of the Mission Valley Special Response Team.

The Flathead County incident involving Bell began at 1:34 a.m. Friday when another man called 911 to report Bell had threatened him and held a knife to him before slashing his tire. According to Sheriff Chuck Curry, deputies responded to his Mountain Drive home, where he told them to “get the [expletive] off my property.”

Curry said because the threats didn’t happen in the presence of law enforcement, he was not arrested, as is standard procedure in such situations.

Approximately eight hours later, Bell’s son called to report his father was suicidal, at which point deputies returned to the home and Bell barricaded himself inside. Curry said there were other people in the house initially, but they were able to get out.

“He refused to come out and said he’d kill deputies if they came in, but we spoke to him on the phone and convinced him to come out,” he said.

Bell exited the home with his hands up and was taken into custody without incident, although he remained somewhat combative.

He was transported to Kalispell Regional Medical Center for a mental-health evaluation, where he remained as of early Friday afternoon. Curry said he was unaware of the status of any preliminary charges against Bell.

Three Rivers EMS also responded to the home during the second incident, but did not end up becoming involved.

Assistant Polson Police Chief Clint Cottle reported Friday afternoon that Erickson was the focus of a call to Lake County law enforcement at about 5:33 p.m. Wednesday, when it was reported that he was suicidal and planned to let a police officer shoot and kill him.

Polson police responded to the Seventh Avenue East home accompanied by Lake County deputies and Flathead tribal police officers who confirmed he was alone in the home and set up a perimeter. Surrounding neighbors were evacuated from their homes as a precaution.

The Mission Valley Response Team was eventually called in, and the team’s negotiators were able to contact Erickson on the phone. Just after midnight, they persuaded him to come out and he, too, was taken into custody without incident.

Erickson was transported to St. Joseph’s Hospital before being booked in the Lake County Detention Center on an outstanding warrant. The Lake County Attorney’s Office is reviewing the case to determine if there will be any future charges stemming from the incident.

Reporter Jesse Davis may be reached at 758-4441 or by email at jdavis@dailyinterlake.com.