In the afternoon of Monday, March 25, 2024, Oregon State Police reported to Klickitat County Department of Emergency Management (DEM) that they received a report of a male who had been kidnapped at gunpoint and was in a vehicle heading to Dallesport.
A short time later, a call to Klickitat County DEM reported that a suspect was holding a male, female and child at gunpoint inside a residence in Murdock. Multiple Klickitat County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded, along with assistance from the Washington State Patrol, Goldendale Police Department and the Bingen-White Salmon Police Department.
Officers contained the residence, and it became apparent that only the 25-year-old male caller, identified as James Neal, was inside with the woman and child. He was armed with a deadly weapon and a standoff ensued. The woman and child were soon able to escape to the safety of officers outside.
Negotiations with the male continued for several hours. He continually indicated an intent to either kill himself or force law enforcement to shoot him. He displayed weapons and appeared to be having an acute mental health crisis.
The male eventually agreed to disarm himself and peacefully surrender to law enforcement, which he did. He was not physically injured but was transported to a local hospital for a mental health evaluation and treatment.
Possible charges may be filed.
Klickitat County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank all the agencies for their swift response to bring this situation to a peaceful conclusion.
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