Suicidal Subject

Case # 19-017927

At approximately 4:27 pm Abington Police responded to a fully involved vehicle fire in the parking lot of the Huntingdon Valley Shopping Center in the Huntingdon Valley section of Abington Township.  Upon police arrival they found a man standing outside the car dousing himself with some kind of incendiary liquid.  In an attempt to avoid police, the male ran into the Starbucks.  Customers and employees fled the store as police followed the male.  Officers attempted to negotiate with the male as he stood with a lighter threatening to light himself on fire.  He continued to pour the liquid onto the floor and the counter of the Starbucks threatening further to light himself and the store on fire.  Seeing no other option to save the man’s life, the officers deployed less lethal rounds to distract the male while others tackled him.  The male was able to strike the lighter once catching the floor on fire.  The male is being treated for first and second degree burns to his hands and officers are being treated for minor burns and abrasions.  McKinley Volunteer Fire Company and Second Alarmers Rescue Squad responded.  An involuntary commitment warrant is being obtained for the male.

Approved for Release by ~ Deputy Chief Kelley Warner