News Releases

Officers Intervene to Prevent Tragedy in Silver Spring

For Immediate Release: Tuesday, March 31, 2020

On Saturday, March 28, at approximately 12:10 a.m., the Emergency Communications Center (911) received a call from County garage security personnel that a male was sitting on the ledge of the seventh level of a parking garage in downtown Silver Spring.

While responding to the call, officers learned that the male had left the garage after being approached by security personnel.  Officers spoke to a security guard who was able to provide a description of the male.  Officers then began to check other parking garages in the area in an attempt to locate the individual and check his welfare.

An officer checking the garage located at 921 Wayne Avenue located the male sitting on the ledge of the seventh (top floor) of the garage. The officer attempted to approach the male and he fled and jumped down approximately three feet to a connecting roof of a building located in the 8500 block of Fenton Street.  The man then stood on the ledge of the building, facing Fenton Street.

Four officers followed the male onto the roof in an attempt to speak with him.  A 3rd District officer, who knew the male from previous interactions, and a crisis negotiator officer, spoke with the man as he stood on the ledge.   After approximately 90 minutes of communicating with the male, officers coaxed him off the ledge.

The male was transported to a local hospital for medical treatment.

rlg/CTJ

# # #

Release ID: 20-131
Media Contact: Rick Goodale 
Categories: uncategorized