At approximately 8:13 p.m., the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call of a subject threatening “Suicide by Cop.”
Friends and relatives advised that the subject had recently received a health diagnosis causing distress. They also advised that the subject was heavily armed on a large property in the 7000 block of 57th Street.
Deputies and aviation responded to the location where our helicopter Hawk, was able to determine that the subject was actively firing rounds on the property.
Family members attempted to have the subject come off the property unarmed but he refused. Family also advised that he was highly intoxicated.
Indian River County Sheriff’s Office Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) and Crisis Negotiations Teams (CNT) were activated and began a dialogue with the subject.
Through a series of conversations, the subject advised CNT members that he would shoot anyone who stepped foot on his property and that he was intent on committing “Suicide by Cop.”
Negotiators spent more than two hours communicating with him attempting to obtain a peaceful surrender.
Eventually, the subject ceased communications. After numerous attempts to contact the subject by loud speaker, SWAT deployed chemical munitions forcing the subject out of the home.
He was taken into custody at approximately 2:48 a.m. without incident and transported to Cleveland Clinic Indian River for a mental health evaluation.
Indian River County Sheriff Deryl Loar stated, “We are extremely proud of the patience and restraint shown by our entire team last night. Deputies took all precautions to protect our community. Our CNT team performed well under stress and did their best to resolve the situation. Ultimately, our SWAT team was able to safely resolve this incident. We are glad this man will get the help he needs.”
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