A domestic dispute almost turned deadly on Saturday after a man threatened to take his own life by jumping off a Whitestone roof, according to authorities.
Deputy Inspector Thomas Conforti, the 109th Precinct’s commanding officer, described the scene in a statement posted on the 109th Precinct Community Council Facebook page.
Officers from the 109th Precinct were called to a Whitestone apartment on 15th Drive and Murray Street after receiving reports of a domestic dispute, which sources said began a little after 8:30 p.m.
Upon arrival, officers determined that a man involved in the dispute barricaded himself in his apartment; he then managed to get up on the roof while officers were awaiting backup units.
The man threatened to jump off the building if police did not leave.
A hostage negotiation team, emergency service officers and police from the 109th Precinct had a three-hour dialogue with the man before authorities were able to successfully take him into custody. There were no injuries.
Conforti thanked residents of the block who provided access to the scene.
“This is just a glimpse of what our brave officers have to deal with on a daily basis,” according to his statement. “We appreciate the community’s support.”
