Provo cops: Suicidal woman arrested after firing shot

Provo police responded Thursday to a 911 call about a suicidal woman only to end up retreating after she fired a shot into the ceiling of her bedroom.

Police Lt. Mathew Siufanua said the 43-year-old woman's sister had called, concerned her sibling was going to take her own life. Officers arrived at the woman's mobile home about 8:30 a.m. at 1600 West and 255 North.

"Our officers arrived and made contact with her [inside the mobile home]. She was in her bedroom behind a closed door. She fired one round and then opened the door and pointed the [handgun] at officers," Siufanua said.

The officers moved back and set up a perimeter around the mobile home while neighbors were evacuated. A SWAT team was called to the scene and a police negotiator re-established verbal contact with the woman.

The woman, believed to have been drinking, surrendered without further incident at 11:30 a.m. and was taken to a local hospital for a psychiatric evaluation.

No officers were hurt during the shooting or subsequent standoff.

"These situations can be unpredictable and dangerous. Had it not been for the professionalism and tactics of our officers it could have had a disastrous ending," Chief Rick Gregory said.

remims@sltrib.com