Gun scare at IKEA leads to detaining of mentally unstable female by EPD

A report of a concealed weapon at IKEA led to the arrest of a mentally unstable woman yesterday according to the Emeryville police. De-escalation techniques and less-lethal options were employed by the EPD to defuse the potentially deadly situation and detain the suspect without injury.

According to a Media Advisory released by Sergeant Fred Dauer, EPD dispatch received a call from IKEA security personnel at approximately 4:35 pm. The report had a female suspect walking through the store with a handgun visible in the waistband of her pants. Officers were quickly dispatched to the scene. The dispatcher was able to relay updates to the responding officers as she exited the store and they were able to locate her in the parking garage.

The female reportedly appeared disheveled and was shouting incoherently. Officers cleared the area, took cover and employed their training of de-escalation techniques while preparing less-lethal options. The handle of the gun was clearly visible and accessible to her according to the report. The female persisted yelling threats of “killing people”.

Officers were able to successfully detain the female and safely recover the weapon. The firearm turned out to be a realistic replica of a Sig Sauer semi-auto pistol and even had the signature stamp on the slide and handle.

A background check on the female reportedly uncovered a history of mental illness and she was sent for a mental health evaluation at a local hospital.

IKEA, it should be noted, straddles the border of Emeryville and Oakland with the entire parking structure being located in Oakland.

Feature Image: The recovered replica pistol.