SOUTH HADLEY — A 25-year-old South Hadley man was arrested today after he threatened to commit suicide and warned he would shoot police officers if approached, according to South Hadley Police Chief Jennifer Gundersen.
The incident unfolded around 1:50 p.m. when South Hadley Police received a 911 call from the man, who claimed he wanted to die by police.
The 911 system traced the call to the parking lot of the Pioneer Valley Performing Arts School (PVPA) on Mulligan Way.
Upon arrival, the first responding sergeant found the caller both inside and outside his vehicle, appearing agitated.
The sergeant kept a distance while coordinating with other officers to establish a perimeter.
Although PVPA students were not in session, the school, with administrators present, was quickly placed on lockdown.
The caller eventually drove his vehicle toward a police cruiser before fleeing the scene.
South Hadley Police gave chase, with assistance from Granby, Massachusetts State Police, and Hadley Police.
The pursuit continued into the Town of Hadley, where the man’s vehicle collided with two others on Rt. 9 and was halted by traffic.
Officers pursued the suspect on foot for a short distance, eventually apprehending him without any reported injuries to civilians, police, or the suspect himself.
The man is reported to have no connection with PVPA.
The incident remains under investigation.
