SPRING HILL, FL. – On Thursday at around 7:30 p.m., Hernando County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the area of Newhope Road in Spring Hill regarding a Suicide Threat.
Prior to deputies arriving on the scene, the suicidal male fled from his residence on foot.
Before he left, he placed a knife to his throat and told someone in the residence that he was going to kill himself.
Deputies immediately began searching the surrounding area for the man.
Deputy William Harsanyi responded to Pioneer Park, which is nearby the location of the call, to launch a drone.
Shortly after launching, Harsanyi spotted an individual lying in a retention area behind a residence, about a mile away from the scene. The individual in the retention area was wearing clothing that matched the description of the clothing worn by the man.
While continuing to monitor the individual, Harsanyi directed ground units to the area. During this time, the individual rose to his feet and attempted to conceal himself in a tree line.
Deputies say the man emerged from the tree line and began walking toward Pioneer Park.
Harsanyi continued to direct ground units to the individual he was following with the drone.
Deputies made contact with the individual and confirmed it was who they had been looking for.
Investigators say the man was placed into protective custody and brought to a mental health facility under the Baker Act.
“Fortunately, with the use of a drone, along with a well-trained drone operator, we located this individual before he injured himself or took his own life,” said Hernando County Sheriff’s Office.
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