Toms River, NJ Police Officers help prevent suicide in barricade situation at Motel 6 on Route 37
It was a situation that could have ended so much worse, but now a man who tried to commit suicide has a fighting chance of survival.
Toms River Police responded to Motel 6 on Route 37 Thursday morning around 10:20 am for a disorderly person's call in progress with a man barricading himself while in possession of a knife.
Officers tried to communicate with the man inside a room and deescalate the situation but were unsuccessful in that effort.
The man inside then started cutting his throat with a box cutter/knife, police said.
To try and prevent him from causing further harm to himself, police forced entry into the room but he continued to fight with officers.
Police took him into custody and he was then brought to Jersey Shore University Medical Center due to the extent of his injuries.
The man underwent surgery and is currently listed in critical, but stable condition.
"These types of calls are unfortunately more and more common and particularly dangerous to all involved. I would like to commend all the officers for their outstanding job in preventing a tragedy, as well as their composure and professionalism during this extremely dangerous incident," Toms River Police Chief Mitch Little said in a written statement.