Threat draws large police response to Phil’s Trailhead as authorities briefly close area

Published 3:58 pm Wednesday, June 7, 2023

A man who was threatening to harm himself and others with a handgun and a rifle Wednesday afternoon drew a large police response and armored vehicles to Phil’s Trailhead near Bend.

The threat prompted authorities to close the area, but no shots were fired and no one was hurt. 

Police responded to a 911 call that came in at around noon from a national threat phone line maintained by the FBI, Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Capt. William Bailey told reporters at the scene Wednesday. The report was that a 33-year-old man was in crisis, suicidal and threatening to harm others. 

Police contacted the man, who was initially unwilling to cooperate with law enforcement, via phone. Police used drones and worked with the U.S. Forest Service to find him in the forest west of Bend, an area popular for mountain bikers.

After staying on the phone with police, the man surrendered and was placed in police custody before authorities took him to the hospital.

“He was in close proximity to other people,” Bailey said. “Thankfully, he did not engage any of those people when they were out, and we were able to make contact and get him into custody before anyone got hurt.”

Authorities reopened the area Wednesday afternoon.