DELTONA, Fla. – An armed man was taken into custody early Monday morning after setting garbage on fire in the street and walking around with a gun in Deltona, the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office said.
Just after midnight, deputies responded to a house on Patron Avenue following reports of a neighbor who was setting something on fire and carrying a firearm, a news release states.
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Upon arrival, deputies saw the man standing in the middle of the street, actively setting garbage on fire. They quickly established a perimeter and made contact with him by phone, deputies said.
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During the conversation, deputies said the man made several statements indicating a desire for “suicide by cop.” He was also wearing body armor, raising concerns for deputies’ safety.
Additional resources were deployed, including Alert One, a drone, and more deputies from a neighboring district to assist with the situation.
After some time, deputies said it appeared the man was attempting to surrender, and observed him laying down his rifle and removing his body armor. However, as he began walking toward the deputies, he became agitated and retreated back toward his firearms.
At that moment, a deputy successfully deployed two 40-millimeter less-lethal rounds, which subdued the man, the news release states.
Deputies were then able to take him into custody without further incident. The man was transported to Halifax Hospital for medical clearance under the Baker Act, deputies said.
Four firearms were recovered from the scene: a shotgun, a rifle, two handguns, and a Taser.