An Orlando man who was reportedly discharging a gun in his backyard was killed after he fired a shot at police who were attempting to negotiate his surrender.
On Saturday, Orange County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to reports of a man shooting a gun in the backyard of 5584 Suncreek Court.
According to witnesses, the man, who has not been identified by authorities, was pointing his gun at passing motorists and even at his roommate.
Deputies were unable to make contact with the suspect at the time.
At about 1 a.m., the sheriff’s office was contacted once again because the man continued to point the gun at others. At that time, deputies were able to make contact with the man by phone.
During a press conference early Sunday morning, Sheriff John Mina indicated that his deputies negotiated on the phone with the man for over 40 minutes.
The man eventually emerged into his backyard, where deputies attempted non-lethal measures to apprehend him, including the deployment of a TASER, but were unsuccessful.
According to Mina, the man then pulled a firearm from his waistband and fired a shot. Deputies returned fire, fatally wounding the man.
No deputies were injured as a result of the incident and those involved will be put on paid administrative leave while the matter is investigated by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the State Attorney’s Office.