(Ruthven)– A report of a possible suicidal subject and of a gunshot being heard put the town of Ruthven on edge for awhile Thursday.
The Palo Alto County Sheriff’s Office says it all started when it received a call shortly before 2:30 p.m. about a domestic situation at 1608 Bruce Street in Ruthven. The caller stated they had been on the phone with an occupant of that residence who threatened suicide.
About nine minutes later the caller contacted the Sheriff’s Office again reporting they had again talked with the person and heard a gun shot, and that the person wasn’t responding.
The Palo Alto County Sheriff’s Office, Emmetsburg Police Department and the Iowa State Patrol set up a perimeter around the residence. Neighbors were told to stay indoors and the Ruthven/Ayrshire school, about a block away, was locked down.
Authorities eventually made entrance to the residence but couldn’t find the man. A witness contacted authorities and reported having seen the man run down the street. The man was eventually found hiding in a dog kennel attached to a neighbor’s garage. He was taken into custody without incident and was transported to the Spencer Mental Health Unit for evaluation.
Deputies seized firearms at the man’s residence.
KUOO news has opted not to identify the man as he hasn’t been charged with anything at this time.
Sheriff Dennis Goeders commended the cooperation between law enforcement and the Ruthven-Ayshire school and the citizens of Ruthven that helped bring the incident to a safe and successful conclusion.
