Chief: Johnson City Man Wanted Police To Shoot Him

A Johnson City man was taken into custody after police say he pointed a knife at officers on a village street.

Authorities say the confrontation with 27-year-old Preston Wright occurred early today following a report that a man with a gun was walking up and down Harry L Drive.

Police responding to the call at 2:40 a.m. found Wright near Harry L Drive and North Baldwin Street.

Police chief Brent Dodge says Wright told officers "I've got a gun" and they were going to have to shoot him.

Dodge says there were four village police officers at the scene. He says Wright's hands were behind his back and the man would not comply with repeated orders to show his hands.

The police chief says Wright pulled out a knife and pointed it at officers.

One of the officers tried to fire a Taser device at Wright but the weapon malfunctioned. A second officer then used a Taser unit to subdue the man, who then was taken into custody.

Dodge says Wright, who had been "agitated and confrontational," was unresponsive immediately after he was subjected to the electrical shock.

Wright was taken by ambulance to Binghamton General Hospital for a mental health evaluation.

Police say charges are pending.