Minneapolis, Minnesota — A mental health crisis outside Hennepin Healthcare Monday morning triggered road closures and a large emergency response.
According to the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office, deputies assigned to the hospital responded to reports of a person in crisis inside a vehicle blocking traffic near the facility. Deputies approaching the vehicle reportedly observed the individual actively cutting themselves on the head with multiple knives.
Within minutes, HCSO crisis negotiators arrived and began speaking with the person, working for several hours to de-escalate the situation and encourage them to drop the weapons and accept help, authorities said.
During the incident, Chicago Avenue and 6th Street were shut down, and at one point the Emergency Department entrance was locked, officials said.
Negotiators were eventually able to persuade the individual to exit the vehicle and seek medical assistance. However, authorities said the person allegedly restarted the vehicle and began driving away without warning.
At that point, deputies used less-lethal munitions to break the car windows, allowing responders to safely reach the individual and prevent further harm, according to the sheriff’s office.
The person was transported to the hospital and is receiving medical treatment, authorities said.
Officials reported that 20 to 30 people gathered nearby during the incident, shouting and increasing tensions despite deputies attempting to maintain calm.
The sheriff’s office credited crisis negotiators, Minneapolis police officers, the Minneapolis Behavioral Crisis Team, and Hennepin Healthcare paramedics for helping resolve the situation safely.
Authorities emphasized that crisis negotiators routinely respond to high-risk situations involving people experiencing severe mental health distress.
The temporary closures and emergency response briefly affected traffic in the downtown hospital district, an area frequently used by commuters and hospital staff.
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