Police respond to mental health incident

Published on December 16, 2025

Menlo Park, Calif. – On Dec. 16, 2025, at about 12:30 pm, Menlo Park Police were alerted to a person with a firearm sighted in the 2200 block of Avy Ave. Officers immediately responded and were able to determine the person described appeared to match information about a missing and suicidal person from outside of San Mateo County and alleged to be armed with a handgun.

The scene was immediately secured around the occupied vehicle, and surrounding institutions, businesses, and residences were alerted to stay inside. This included the lockdown of a nearby church and two schools.

Multiple attempts to contact the person in the vehicle by crisis negotiators were unanswered, and the subject was seen with a handgun on his chest, but not responsive.

Once a safe approach was planned through the use of public safety drones and an armored vehicle and ballistic shield, officers were able to confirm the person suffered from a gunshot wound and was deceased.

The scene was secured, and the requests to secure the neighboring area were lifted.

Menlo Park Police Department appreciates the collaboration of our neighboring agencies, including Atherton PD, Redwood City PD, and the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office, Menlo Park Fire Protection District and AMR.

If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, there are multiple options for support available in this County, including crisis phone lines (211 or 988) and online chat, as well as an in-person response from mental health professionals, co-responding clinicians with police, and local crisis intervention-trained police officers. Many of these resources can be found here: https://www.smchealth.org/crisis-services

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Menlo Park Police Department
650-330-6300