Homicide detectives are investigating what’s believed to be a suicide that took place Tuesday on the 25400 block of Via Alcira in Santa Clarita.
Medical personnel with the Fire Department was dispatched to a residence southwest of the intersection of Wiley Canyon and Orchard Village at 7:14 p.m., and cleared to enter the residence by sheriff’s deputies at 7:25 p.m.
The patient, a 17-year-old female gunshot victim, was transported to the local trauma center where she was pronounced dead, according to officials.
“We got a call regarding a person injured (at that address),” said Lt. Ignacio Somoano of the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station. “It’s a death investigation.”
Sheriff’s Information Bureau officials confirmed the death is being investigated as a suicide, and Homicide officials would have any updates regarding further information.
Lt. Joe Mendoza of the Homicide Bureau said there would likely not be many more details released because it was a suspected suicide and the victim was a juvenile.
No arrests were made in connection with the incident.
Medical examiners with the Coroner’s Office have not released any information regarding the victim’s identification, as they have not yet examined the victim.
Santa Clarita Valley’s mental health experts have been working in partnership with COC, the City of Santa Clarita, the Sheriff’s Department to work on reducing the number of suicides in Santa Clarita.
Larry Schallert, assistant director of the Student Health and Wellness Center at College of the Canyons and leader of Santa Clarita’s Blue Ribbon Task Force on Suicide Prevention, compiled the following list of local resources.
Schallert noted in addition to the resources below there’s also a number that folks can text if they’re struggling.
Anyone with concerns about their mental health can also text 741741 and then type in a request for help, and someone will call them back right away, he said, “There’s also the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention on how to survive suicide loss.”
For loss survivors, they mention the following advice, according to its website:
“Find a support group: You don’t have to cope with your loss alone. There are support groups specifically for those who have lost a loved one to suicide.
Do what feels right to you: Don’t feel pressured to talk right away. If you choose to discuss your loss, speaking can give your friends and family the opportunity to support you in an appropriate way.
Write: You may find it helpful to write your feelings or to write a letter to your lost loved one. This can be a safe place for you to express some of the things you were not able to say before the death.
Ask for help: Don’t be afraid to let your friends provide support to you, or to look for resources in your community such as therapists, co-workers, or family members.”
Schallert noted there’s always a ripple effect, and it’s important that the community tries to support so everyone can survive it and avoid “clusters” or someone who might try to imitate that action.
Mental Health and other resources for Santa Clarita Valley
College of the Canyons Student Health & Wellness Resource Website
Child & Family Center, Santa Clarita
Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital Behavioral Health Free and Confidential MH Screening Website:
Mental Health America
Mental Health: It’s Part of All Our Lives 1-800- 789-2647
National Child Traumatic Stress Network
National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare
National Institute for Mental Health
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800- 273-TALK
Reachout.com
SAMHSA Site for Coping with Disaster and Traumatic Events:
Santa Clarita City Mental Health Resource Page
SCV Youth Project (661) 257.YOUTH (9688)
Stop Bullying
SRD~Straightening Reins – equine therapy 661-803-1641
ACCESS (DMH Mental Health Hotline) (800)-854- 7771
Asian Pacific Counseling & Treatment Center (818) 267-1100
Child & Family Center, Santa Clarita (Children, Youth and Adults) (661) 259-9439
Child and Family Guidance Center – Northridge (818) 993-9311
College of the Canyons Student Health & Wellness Center (661)-362- 3259
The Center currently helps over 750 children and their families each week. For more information, contact the Center at 661-259-9439 or visit www.childfamilycenter.org.
To learn more about emotional health and how to get help or support a loved one, visit jedfoundation.org/help.
