Bozeman police tell MTN News a man who jumped from the fire escape of Bozeman’s Baxter Hotel downtown has died.
“Unfortunately, the male involved in yesterday’s incident did pass away from the injuries that he sustained," says Chief Steve Crawford, Bozeman Police Department.
It’s a situation no one hopes to ever experience or see.
Chief Crawford says officers tried to talk to the 27-year-old man before it happened Tuesday afternoon.
“Our thoughts go out to the family members of this individual that was involved as well as the officers, the responders and the citizens," Crawford says.
Crawford says “citizens” for a reason.
Many people were walking near the hotel when it happened -- who also witnessed it.
...Difficult for both them, the family and officers involved.
“It’s really difficult on the responders that have to witness an event such as this," Crawford says.
Crawford says cases like this are hard to report, even for journalists.
They are very sensitive.
We want to make sure we are very sensitive and respectful to the families.
He does say that given the nature of the public nature of this incident, they are taking extra precautions.
“It makes it a little more challenging, both from a response and investigation perspective as well kind of the impact on the public," Crawford says.
That’s why we are reporting it.
Out of respect and sensitivity, we will not release the name.
As Crawford says, this raises awareness of resources that can hopefully help.
“The important thing for people to know is that they are not alone and that there are a lot of resources and that, sometimes, if there is something that you are concerned about, there are a lot of resources for you as that concerned party to reach out to and get that help," Crawford says.
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EARLIER WEDNESDAY: A man died Tuesday afternoon after Bozeman police say he jumped off of the seventh floor of the Baxter Hotel fire escape.
Investigators say the 27-year-old man was taken to Bozeman Deaconess Hospital with serious injuries after falling into the alley just west of the hotel at 3:23 pm.
Police say officers arrived to find the man hanging from the rail and tried to talk him down, but he jumped moments later.
The Gallatin County Coroner is continuing to investigate the events leading up to his death with the help of the Bozeman Police Department.
Police chief Steve Crawford says resources are out there for people who need help, including the Bozeman Help Center and the National Suicide Prevention Hotline.
Both resources are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week:
Bozeman Help Center: (406) 586-3333
National Suicide Prevention Hotline: (800) 273-8255
