A 42-year-old DeLand woman surrendered to law enforcement on Tuesday afternoon after she allegedly barricaded herself inside her home for over an hour while armed with a gun.
On Tuesday, November 25, at around 5:10 p.m., a DeLand Police Department officer responded to a residence located in the 100 block of Curry Rise Court in reference to a 911 hang-up call, according to DPD.
Upon arrival, the officer made contact with the home’s resident, identified as Melissa Rose Kline. The police department stated that Kline refused to exit her home to speak with the officer.
While the officer attempted to convince Kline to come outside, she allegedly retrieved a handgun from underneath her bathrobe. She then placed the firearm under her chin, and the officer immediately took cover behind Kline’s vehicle, according to DPD.
Moments later, the officer heard a “loud bang,” which was consistent with a gunshot being fired from inside the home. The officer was then reportedly “struck by what was believed to be shrapnel from the initial gunshot,” which resulted in a minor abrasion to the officer’s neck.
Additional officers soon arrived at the residence, and they heard a second “bang” from inside the home. That sound was later confirmed to be another gunshot, according to police.
Officers continued their attempts to communicate with Kline. Shortly after 6:20 p.m., Kline surrendered and was taken into custody without further incident. DPD stated that the officer and Kline were both medically cleared at the scene by paramedics.
Kline was placed under arrest and booked into Volusia County Jail, where she remains in custody. Her bond has been set at $18,500, and she is facing the following charges: two counts of aggravated assault, two counts of recklessly discharging a firearm, and two counts of resisting arrest without violence.