SALEM, Ore. (AP) — Salem authorities say three men have rescued a woman who was being held at knifepoint by a man believed to be bent on drawing in police and getting himself shot.
Police say the woman’s screams on Saturday morning got the attention of three members of a community service work crew. They climbed over a fence and grabbed the man. Police say he released the knife he was holding against the woman, and the three delivered him to officers.
The woman was unhurt.
Police say they jailed the man on kidnapping and other charges.
Police identified him as 47-year-old Jeffrey Brian Smith, a transient and registered sex offender from Illinois. They said their investigation showed his actions were aimed at suicide.
