A man with a handgun approached beachgoers at the middle pier of Cortez Beach’s “Three Piers” area about noon May 24.
The man then called 911 and asked them to send emergency services — he threatened suicide.
He next walked to the end of the pier and asked others to leave, saying he needed the pier to himself.
Bradenton Beach Police Officer John Tsakiri and Lt. Lenard Diaz responded along with a Manatee County sheriff’s boat and water rescue units.
Diaz called to the man several times to drop the firearm.
The man, sitting at the edge of the pier facing the water, alternated holding the gun to his chest and then to his head. He then pushed himself off the pier into the water and police and bystanders heard a gunshot ring out.
Tsakiri and Diaz ran to the end of the pier and found the man on his back gasping for air.
Rescuers on an MSCO boat pulled the man, not injured, from the water with the help of two water rescue personnel who jumped in the Gulf to assist.
Marine Beach Patrol Chief Joe Westerman dove into the water to retrieve the firearm.
The man was transported to HCA Florida Blake Hospital in Bradenton. He told an officer he was suicidal after the loss of a job.
For help
To reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline call 1-800-273-TALK.
For more information, visit the website suicidepreventionlifeline.org/.
People also can connect to a crisis counselor by texting the Crisis Text Line. Text HOME to 741741.