Man With Dementia Found Searching Home With Revolver After Another Police Call

Portsmouth police were back at the home of a man with dementia and multiple firearms after he called to report another possible break-in. This time, an officer spotted him searching his basement with a revolver in his hand. The call came just days after officers raised serious concerns about the man’s memory problems, unsafe gun-handling habits, and the fact that he lives alone. Officer Spots Revolver During Welfare Check The man contacted police on September 21 and asked an officer to drive by his home to make sure no one was lurking around the property after what he believed was a recent break-in. When an officer arrived, he saw the resident in the basement holding a revolver and searching the area. The officer waited until the man went upstairs before knocking on the door and identifying himself as police. The resident came to the door without the gun. He told the officer that someone had stolen from him before and that he simply wanted the area checked. Police Had Already Raised Concerns About His Guns Just days earlier, police responded to the same home after the man reported that someone had stolen his money and other belongings. Officers found that the doors and windows were locked and that the man still had his money and debit cards in a plastic bag. Police determined that the reported theft was unfounded. But the responding officer documented a more serious concern: the man has dementia, lives alone, owns multiple firearms, and has unsafe gun-handling habits. Because of those concerns, the officer recommended that at least two officers respond to future calls at the home. Adult Protective Services was notified following that incident. Mental Health Agency Contacted After Latest Call After finding the man searching his basement with a revolver, police made additional calls about his welfare. According to the latest report, an officer spoke with a representative from Shawnee Mental Health and attempted to contact the Area Agency on Aging. The log does not say whether anyone was able to reach the aging agency or what additional assistance may be arranged for the resident. No arrest was listed, and the report does not indicate that any firearms were removed from the home. The latest call brings the concern into sharper focus. Officers are responding to a man who believes people are breaking into his home. He has dementia, lives alone, and has multiple firearms. Now police have actually witnessed him searching his home with a revolver. That raises a difficult safety question for the man and for anyone who might come to his door — including the officers he calls for help.

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