Police thwart suicide by shooting rubber bullets

6/12/2003

Toledo police officers yesterday shot an Old West End man with rubber bullets to abort an apparent suicide attempt in the man's apartment, authorities said.

Russell Glass, 42, of 2138 Maplewood Ave., was taken to Rescue Mental Health Services last night after being treated at St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center for self-inflicted cuts on his arm.

About 5:10 p.m., Mr. Glass called one of the area's Christian foundations saying he was going to hurt himself. The foundation immediately called 911. Fire crews arrived minutes later, found Mr. Glass barricaded in the bathroom of his second-floor apartment threatening to cut himself with a straight razor. Firefighters called police, Sgt. Daniel Ray said.

When officers arrived shortly thereafter, they found Mr. Glass in a room that had two doors to it, sitting in a chair with a belt tied around his arm and a razor in his hand. He was threatening to kill himself unless he could talk to a juvenile, whose name was not released. Officers tried to get him to drop the razor but failed, Sergeant Ray said.

When it appeared that Mr. Glass made a move to cut himself just before 6 p.m., two officers who were standing at a separate door to the room opened fire with rubber bullets, hitting Mr. Glass, who immediately dropped the razor.

He then was taken into custody, the sergeant said.