ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) – A suicidal suspect has been detained after an hours-long standoff at Betty Hardwick Center in south Abilene.

The Abilene Police Department has confirmed the suspect was taken into custody by members of the SWAT team around 4:30 p.m. Thursday.

A standoff with the suspect started around 9:30 a.m. when he arrived outside the mental health facility on S Clack Street with a firearm and threatened to harm himself.

Officers wearing SWAT gear and armed with long rifles then began negotiations for hours as the suspect had the gun pointed to his chest.

At no time was this suspect making threats toward police or anyone else.

Employees and residents at Betty Hardwick Center were on lockdown as a precaution while he was outside, and traffic was diverted off S Clack Street onto Nonesuch Road.

The suspect, who has only been identified as a man in his early 20s, will now be evaluated at Hendrick Medical Center. He was not harmed while being detained.

Traffic has resumed on S Clack Street as normal.

No further information is available at this time. Check back with BigCountryHomepage.com for any updates.