VIDEO: Man With History Of Mental Illness Threatens Police

VERONA, MISS. (WCBI) – A Verona man with a history of mental illness is charged with two counts of aggravated assault after he tried to provoke police officers to shoot him.

It was early Saturday morning, when Verona police were called to a disturbance at a residence.

Officers found 27 year old Rico Lyons with a gun, threatening to harm police officers.  Lyons also said he wanted police to shoot him.

Verona Police Chief JB Long says Lyons has a history of mental health issues.  He says his officers often deal with people suffering from similar conditions.

“Most times mental patients are dangerous, that’s why we need special training and things, to know how to deal with these guys, they just need special attention, we have to be extremely careful when we approach them,” Chief Long said.

Bond for Lyons was set at $13,500 .   He also faces one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.