On October 31, 2026, at approximately 10:16 p.m., officers with the Creston Police Department were dispatched to a residence in the 600 block of West Adams Street for a reported domestic disturbance.
Upon arrival, officers learned that a 59 year old male had attempted to enter and had forced entry through the door of a neighboring residence while making threats to harm an occupant.
Officers made contact with the male at his residence, where he armed himself with a large knife and retreated into a bathroom, barricading himself inside. During the investigation, officers received information indicating the male was experiencing a mental health crisis and presented an immediate danger to himself and others.
Officers established communication with the male and began attempting to negotiate a peaceful resolution. Despite repeated attempts to communicate and de-escalate the situation, the male remained armed and refused to exit the bathroom.
After nearly an hour of negotiations, the male exited the bathroom armed with a knife and began moving toward the officers’ location. Despite repeated commands to drop the knife, the male continued to refuse to comply. Officers deployed a less-lethal impact munition, striking the male, who subsequently retreated into the bathroom while remaining armed.
Additional assistance was requested from the Iowa State Patrol and Ringgold County Sheriff’s Office. Law enforcement personnel continued negotiations for several hours in an effort to resolve the situation peacefully. After continued attempts to gain compliance were unsuccessful, chemical munitions were deployed into the bathroom.
During the early morning hours of November 1, the male exited the bathroom, and officers continued their efforts to negotiate a peaceful resolution. The male was subsequently taken into custody without further use of force.
The male received immediate medical attention from Greater Regional Hospital EMS personnel and was transported to the hospital for a mental health evaluation. The male sustained injuries during the incident, including an injury resulting from the deployment of a less-lethal impact munition and additional self-inflicted injuries.
Criminal charges related to this incident remain under consideration pending further investigation. The Creston Police Department would like to thank the Union County Sheriff’s Office, Ringgold County Sheriff’s Office, Iowa State Patrol, Creston Fire Department, and Greater Regional Hospital for their assistance during this incident.
Incidents involving armed individuals experiencing a mental health crisis present significant challenges for responding law enforcement personnel. This incident highlights the importance of crisis intervention, interagency cooperation, and the availability of less-lethal equipment and training. These resources provide officers with additional options when responding to potentially dangerous situations, with the goal of protecting the lives and safety of everyone involved.
