Police use de-escalation tactics to talk down man with handgun

A 27-year-old man is in custody after police convinced him to put down his weapon early Thursday morning.

Early Thursday morning, Lincoln Police responded to a call near South 30th and ‘N’ streets after reports of a suicidal party with a gun.

When officers arrived, they found 27-year-old Elliot Trisdale with a 9mm handgun, walking in and out of a home, telling police he ‘wanted to die.’

A woman inside the home made the call to police after she says Trisdale held her down on the bed and strangled her, making it hard for her to breathe. Police and dispatchers first worked to get the woman out of the home before talking with Trisdale.

Police say they then remained at a distance from the home, and were able to make contact with Trisdale via phone. After 45 minutes, officers persuaded Trisdale to put the gun down.

Lincoln Police Officer Luke Bonkiewicz says this is a ‘prime example’ of police using de-escalation tactics to safely diffuse a dangerous situation.

Trisdale was taken into custody for strangulation and 3rd degree assault. No one was injured.