ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1995, Roanoke Times

DATE: Sunday, December 24, 1995              TAG: 9512260090
SECTION: VIRGINIA                 PAGE: C-5  EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: LISA K. GARCIA  


BLACKSBURG MAN CAPTURED AFTER VOWING TO KILL SELF

A 47-year-old man was captured and restrained after keeping Blacksburg police at bay for several hours Saturday, threatening to shoot himself in his Ridgeway Village apartment.

Dennis Drummond called a counseling center at about 11:43 a.m. and threatened to commit suicide, according to a Blacksburg police news release.

Police arrived at Ridgeway Village, evacuated the building and closed the area. Drummond threatened police with his gun, they said.

Drummond hung up on the counseling center after several hours of negotiation. Police then telephoned Drummond and persuaded him to place his gun outside the apartment door.

While Drummond was putting the gun outside, he ``was confused by police.'' Drummond lunged toward the stairwell and fell down one flight of stairs, the release said.

Rescue workers took Drummond to Montgomery Regional Hospital about 3:30 p.m., where he was treated for minor injuries and released.

Drummond is being held for a mental health hearing, the release said. |-LISA K. GARCIA Dennis Drummond, 47, kept Blacksburg police at bay for several hours Saturday threatening to shoot himself in his Ridgeway Village apartment.

According to a Blacksburg police news release, Drummond called a counseling center at about 11:43 a.m. and threatened to commit suicide.

When police arrived at Ridgeway Village, where Drummond lives, Drummond threatened police with his gun.

Drummond hung up on the counseling center after several hours of negotiation. Police then telephoned Drummond and persuaded him to place his gun outside the apartment door.

While Drummond was putting the gun outside, he ``was confused by police.'' During his capture and after being restrained, the release says, Drummond lunged toward the stairwell and fell down one flight of stairs.

Rescue workers took Drummond to Montgomery Regional Hospital about 3:30 p.m., where he was treated for minor injuries and released.

Police evacuated the building and closed off access to the area before contacting Drummond, according to the release.


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by CNB