WINTER HAVEN, Fla. (WFLA) – Winter Haven police are investigating after officers say they shot a suicidal man who pointed a gun at them.
911 dispatchers received a call at 5:18 a.m. Wednesday from 46-year-old Roderick Helmick, who was threatening suicide at his home behind the Royal Inn, located at 3525 Lake Alfred Road.
According to police, Helmick told the 911 operator that he had a loaded gun in his pocket.
When officers approached Helmick, they say he reached into his pocket, pulled out the gun and pointed it at them.
“This is very tragic, very sad that this happened,” Chief Charlie Bird told WFLA. “But at this point in time those officers had no opportunity and no other choice.”
Officers shot the Helmick, striking him multiple times.
“The bottom line is if one of our officers has a gun pointed at them, they have family members. They have lives too. They want to go home,” Chief Bird said.
“It hurts because I know this man,” friend and neighbor Myron Jackson told WFLA. “He’s a normal, good man, that would do anything for you. He recently lost his wife and he was depressed. Yesterday he made a statement that he misses her so much and that sometimes he thinks he may just try to end his life.”
Helmick was taken to Lakeland Regional Hospital. As of Wednesday evening, Helmick was in critical but stable condition.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is conducting an investigation. All five officers involved are on paid leave pending the outcome of the investigation.
