Provo, USA - A suicidal man triggered a brief standoff with police at the Provo LDS Temple late Wednesday, but he was taken into custody after negotiators talked him into surrendering.
Police said the man, believed to be a 25-year-old Brigham Young University student, entered the temple grounds with a .45-caliber handgun about 11:30 p.m. Tuesday. He purportedly was "despondent over recent [disciplinary] action taken against him by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints" and pointed the firearm at his chest, said Provo police Capt. Cliff Argyle.
A male friend was trying to convince the man to put down the gun when police arrived at the grassy overflow parking area, located at 2200 North Temple View Drive.
The officers stepped back for their own safety, but one talked to the man for more than an hour. The officer and the friend were able to convince the man not to kill himself, and he was then taken into custody.
He was taken to the Utah Valley Regional Medical Center's mental health unit, where he will undergo an evaluation. His name was not released.
Police refused to say what action the church had allegedly taken against the man, and LDS Church spokesman Scott Trotter had no comment Thursday.