Suicidal Man Saved At South Brunswick Motel

SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ — South Brunswick police officers had to coax a suicidal man out of his room Monday morning at the Hotel Vincenza on Rt. 1, in an incident that started with the man saying he wanted to be shot to death by police officers.

Police responded to a 911 call at 8:15 a.m. Monday to the Hotel Vincenza for a report of a despondent man in a motel room. According to the caller, the man wanted to end his life or force officers to kill him. A dozen South Brunswick police officers responded to the motel. They established a perimeter and began negotiations with the man. He was in the room alone with his dog.

The man, 39, had a history of mental illness and was highly agitated when police arrived. He yelled at the officers and threw items against the door. He refused to leave the room and negotiations continued for over three hours, with even the man's friends and family members participating. Over that period, police negotiators were able to de-escalate the situation by reassuring him that they wanted a safe outcome and wanted to get him the assistance he needed.

Finally, just after 11:20 a.m. Monday, the man emerged from the room with his dog. He was transported by EMS with police to an area hospital.

"He was combative at first and was looking to force a confrontation," said South Brunswick Police Chief Raymond Hayducka. "But officers made the correct decision to set up a perimeter and begin talking. He quickly realized no one was going to come rush in and tackle him."

“The officers did a tremendous job de-escalating the tense situation," he continued. "As time went on he began to speak of his issues and the problems he is facing. Negotiators worked to develop a rapport and show him they were concerned for his well-being ... After he realized no one was going to hurt him, he agreed to come out and get help. This is the outcome we look for in every interaction. It takes skill and training to create a peaceful resolution.”