Editor’s Note: The following article includes mention of suicide. If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide or self harm, you can call the 988 Suicide & Crisis Hotline—previously known as the National Suicide Prevention Hotline— by dialing 988. Help is available.
TRENTON (WWJ) Elizabeth Park in Trenton closed Saturday due to a "police situation."
In a press release; police said they were called to Elizabeth Park in the area of W. Jefferson and Grosse Ile Parkway on Saturday, December 14th, around 7 p.m. for a suicidal subject.
When they arrived, they found a man in his late 50’s from the Ann Arbor area who died in his car from an apparently self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The park was closed for the night and reopened on Sunday, December 15th.
“We are trying to get ahead of the story and provide you with the facts that we are able to, but also protect the privacy of the family and avoid any false rumors,” Trenton Police said in a statement. “Please encourage those around you to reach out for support for mental health or use our police app that has confidential resources for those needing assistance.”
The Wayne County website describes Elizabeth Park as “an emerald jewel along the banks of the Detroit River” with over 1,300 feet of riverwalk. The park offers activities such as softball, cycling, hiking, ice-skating and weekend pony rides.
The 162-acre family estate was given to the Wayne County Park trustees in 1919 by the children of Elizabeth Slocum, the estate owner. The gift marked the start of the Wayne County Parks System.
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Trenton Police full statement: "To avoid any confusion or misinformation, The Trenton Police responded inside of Elizabeth park at approximately 7pm on Saturday December 14th on a report of a suicidal subject. Officers located the vehicle and found a male subject inside the vehicle deceased from an apparent self inflicted gunshot wound. The male was in his late 50's and from the Ann Arbor area. The park is closed for the night and will reopen on Sunday. We are trying to get ahead of the story and provide you with the facts we are able to, but also protect the privacy of the family and avoid any false rumors. Please encourage those around you to reach out for support for mental health or use our police app that has confidential resources for those needing assistance."