IRCSO negotiators end 17th Street Bridge standoff safely

VERO BEACH — Indian River County Sheriff’s Office crisis negotiators spent two hours talking a man down from the 17th Street Bridge on Sunday, Aug. 2, and took him into custody without injury, the agency said.

Deputies responded after receiving word that the man, who was wanted on a Port St. Lucie Police Department warrant for burglary with battery, had contacted his mother and said he wanted to kill himself. Officers located him at the top of the bridge, where he had climbed over the railing and was threatening to jump.

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The Crisis Negotiation Team spoke with the man while the Marine Unit launched a boat and Fire Rescue staged nearby on the water as a precaution.

Sheriff Eric Flowers credited the outcome to ongoing training.

“Our team spends a lot of time training for a variety of incidents. Because of that training our team was able to end this standoff without any loss of life. The professionalism and compassion shown throughout this incident is a testimony to the dedication and commitment of our team,” Flowers told Sebastian Daily.