OKEECHOBEE — On Monday, March 22 at approximately 2 p.m., Okeechobee County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to the 6900 block of U.S. 98 North in reference to a suicide threat. A woman called 911 and told the operator her boyfriend called her and said he was going to kill himself. She said while she was on the phone, she heard a gunshot and the phone fell to the ground.

When deputies arrived, crises negotiators attempted to make contact with the complainant’s boyfriend with no response. Finally, after several hours, contact was made. The man said he had no idea why his girlfriend would have called the law but said they have been arguing a lot lately, and she keeps trying to have him arrested.

The complainant was contacted and told deputies her boyfriend sits home all day using drugs while she is at work. She went on to say they have been arguing a lot, mostly about how much money she spends on a babysitter or how much methamphetamine he uses. The report notes the woman had trouble keeping her story straight and appeared to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol herself.

Deputies made contact with the mother of the boyfriend, and she reportedly told them he has made several threats to harm himself over the past year, and she believes he uses methamphetamine and possibly marijuana. She said she believes he owns a Glock and fears for his safety without proper treatment.

Because he was assessed to be a danger to himself and appeared to be under the influence, the man was restrained and transported for treatment.

During the incident, Michele Bell, Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer, posted on the OCSO Facebook page letting the public know there was a large police presence in that area, but there was no danger to the community.