Report of person with firearm results in lockdown in West Menlo Park — suspect commits suicide
On December 16, 2025, at about 12:30 pm, Menlo Park Police were alerted to a person with a firearm sighted in the 2200 block of Avy Ave. Officers immediately responded and were able to determine the person described appeared to match information about a missing and suicidal person from outside of San Mateo County and alleged to be armed with a handgun.
The scene was immediately secured around the occupied vehicle — and surrounding institutions, businesses, and residences were alerted to stay inside. This included the lockdown of nearby St. Denis Church and La Entrada Middle School and Phillips Brooks School.
Multiple attempts to contact the person in the vehicle by crisis negotiators were unanswered, and the subject was seen with a handgun on his chest, but not responsive.
Once a safe approach was planned through the use of public safety drones and an armored vehicle and ballistic shield, officers were able to confirm the person suffered from a gunshot wound and was deceased.
The scene was secured, and the requests to secure the neighboring area were lifted.
“In response to the law enforcement event in proximity to La Entrada Middle School and Phillips Brooks School this afternoon in West Menlo Park, I am grateful to all of the first responders, police officers and sheriff’s deputies for their quick response,” said Supervisor Ray Mueller in a statement. “We also greatly appreciate the members of the public who reported the suspicious information to authorities. This is a reminder that an emergency event can happen at any time, and I urge residents in Menlo Park and West Menlo Park to sign up for SMC Alert and Menlo Park’s Nixle to ensure they receive timely and accurate notifications about public safety issues in their area.”
Menlo Park Police Department worked in collaboration with neighboring agencies, including Atherton PD, Redwood City PD, the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office, Menlo Park Fire Protection District and AMR.
If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, there are multiple options for support available in this County, including crisis phone lines (211 or 988) and online chat, as well as an in-person response from mental health professionals, co-responding clinicians with police, and local crisis intervention-trained police officers. Many of these resources can be found here: https://www.smchealth.org/crisis-services
Student at la entrada December 16, 2025 at 6:56 pm
I honestly am still in shock. I, a student at la entrada, truly express my concern for the victim’s family. It was very scary and we had been on lockdown for about 2 hours, then we headed to our homeroom class to eat lunch. The over head speakers announced names of children whose parent were picking them up. We had seen helicopters flying overhead and police sirens.