Officer shoots man after suicide threat

Heather Rawlyk

Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2003 | 9:13 a.m.

A Henderson Police sergeant shot a man early Sunday after the man threatened suicide and fired shots into the air from two handguns, police said.

Henderson officers were sent to a home in the 200 block of Chestnut Ridge, near Valle Verde Drive and Paseo Verde Parkway, after a woman called 911 and told dispatchers her husband was threatening suicide in their home.

Two officers went to the rear of the house, while Sgt. Brian Dunaway, a 10-year veteran of the department, spoke with the woman at the front, police said.

Soon after they arrived, 54-year-old James Carlson allegedly began shouting at the officers from a back bedroom window. Carlson then climbed out of the window into the back yard with a handgun in each hand, police said. Carlson allegedly began walking toward one officer, while the other officer shouted commands. Carlson started firing both handguns into the air and verbally challenging the other officer, police said.

Dunaway, who was speaking with the wife at the front of the house, quickly ran to the back yard after hearing the shots fired.

When he arrived in the back yard, the sergeant saw Carlson lowering his guns in the direction of the two officers, police said. Fearing the safety of the officers, Dunaway fired one shot, hitting Carlson in the abdomen and incapacitating him, police said.

Carlson was taken to University Medical Center where a spokeswoman said he was in good condition this morning.

Paramedics were already on the scene when Carlson was shot, a common practice with possible suicide situations, police said.

The shooting will be investigated by the department's internal affairs bureau, police spokesman Keith Paul said.

Carlson faces several charges, including assault with a deadly weapon, police said.

Carlson's home was dark Monday evening, in contrast to the nearby homes decorated in bright Christmas lights. Carlson's wife did not appear to be home and was not available for comment.