FORT WALTON BEACH, Fla. — A tense, hours-long crisis involving an armed and suicidal man ended peacefully on Wednesday after a coordinated response by multiple law enforcement teams, according to a Facebook post by the Fort Walton Beach Police Department.
Officers with the Fort Walton Beach Police Department first encountered the adult male around 12:32 p.m. while on routine patrol near the intersection of Mooney Road NE and Windsor Lane NE. According to police, the man was standing in the roadway holding a knife to his neck and making statements indicating he intended to harm himself.
When officers approached, the man fled on foot into a nearby residence. Authorities quickly established a perimeter as another occupant inside the home called law enforcement, reporting the man had become increasingly agitated and was acting violently due to fears of being arrested.
A short time later, the man exited the residence armed with a firearm and pointed it at himself, escalating the situation. Officers began crisis intervention efforts, attempting to de-escalate the encounter and bring it to a peaceful resolution.
After roughly two hours, the Okaloosa County Multijurisdictional Special Operations Team and Crisis Negotiation Team arrived and took over command of the scene.
During the standoff, the man attempted to breach the perimeter. Officers then deployed less-lethal force along with a K-9 unit to safely take him into custody. He was apprehended without further incident and transported for medical evaluation.
As a precaution, nearby roads were temporarily closed, and area schools were placed on lockdown. Those restrictions have since been lifted, and officials say there is no ongoing threat to the public.
The Fort Walton Beach Police Department credited the coordinated efforts of responding agencies and thanked residents for their patience during the incident.
Pro Communi Bono
St. Francis De Sales, Ora Pro Nobis!
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