Last week the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office mobilized its forces, including the SWAT team, to hunt down a man believed to be armed and mentally ill, and hiding somewhere in the northern F-Section’s woods. The manhunt took almost three hours and left a neighborhood on edge. No weapon was found.
Thursday evening, members of the SWAT team were summoned again, this time to 44 Utah Place in Seminole Woods, after a woman at that address called 911 to report that her son had drawn one or more firearms. The man, in his early 20s, is also believed to have mental health issues. But the situation was diffused more swiftly, with no injuries.
By 7:30 p.m., after almost a dozen sheriff’s units and even a unit of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission had responded to the cul de sac, an L-shaped distance from Seminole Woods Boulevard, members of the household were left filling out statements while the man was being held in a patrol unit, on his way to the psychiatric ward at Daytona Beach’s Halifax hospital. It was a Baker Act, meaning that the individual, whose name was not released, was being taken to the ward not necessarily with his consent, for his and others’ protection.
Sgt. Chris Ragazzo, who was in command at the scene, described the incident as a “mental health subject armed with two rifles. He had subjects inside the house. He was threatening to commit suicide. We were able to diffuse the issue,” without injuries or other complications. There were six people in the two-level, 3,000 square-foot house, all adults, Ragazzo said. One of the rifles was a .22-caliber.
The situation worried many people in the neighborhood and a few who drove by, unable to get to their house nearer 44 Utah. The step-father of the individual being Baker Acted was upset about the show of force, saying, “the cops went in there with guns looking to shoot somebody.” When a weapon is involved, however, the SWAT team doesn’t take chances as it aims to prevent any weapon from going off, or to prevent anyone from getting hurt. Its drawn weapons look intimidating (and are), but the tactic is aggressively preventive.
The incident began with an argument. “He just told his mother I want this, I want that, and she said, no, she called the cops,” the step-father said. “It was no big deal. No big deal. This guy is really cool. He’s my step-son, I love him.”
The man does not face charges at this time.
Anonymous says
Once again this team handled the situation without injuries. The cops are not social workers. If you call them and say someone is pointing a gun or two at you, they are not going to come by in the Welcome Wagon.
With so many recent (and past) suicides and suicide/homicides and attempts, why are our mental health services still in Volusia County? Flagler County could use a few less golf courses and one really outstanding mental health facility, accessible to everyone in the county.
Cindy says
If you have a mentally ill family member that resides in your home you should not be allowed to own a weapon. Come on people they are sick why are we collecting guns when you know that your loved one has problems.
confidential says
Well done job Sheriff and Deputies.
Anon says
@Cindy: Who said they are collecting guns? Individuals who have mentally ill, or ill-behaved relatives still have Civil Rights, and that includes the Right to bear and own arms. Guns. Why should an individual give up their Civil Rights just because someone they are related to is either mentally ill or can’t control their own behavior? And I don’t recall reading where the gun belonged to the mama. Maybe it belonged to one of the twins. Are they mentally ill or just pissed off?
candy smoker says
why is the father upset with the swat team doing the job they are paid to do?
maybe you should be concerned with your mentally ill son having access to rifles…
goalie8 says
Thank you to the sheriff’s department for keeping people safe.
@Anon I think the 26 families who lost loved ones in Newtown would disagree with you. If Lanza hadn’t had access to those guns with his mental illness as it was maybe we wouldn’t have lost those important lives. Civil rights, it isn’t about that, its about keeping people safe from guns getting in the hands of those whose instability are a threat to people if they got a hold of a gun whether through them purchasing it or having them readily accessible.
Anon says
@goalie8 : Guns do not kill people. What about we all “get up in arms” and demand an end to Mental Illness? If Adam Lanza would have had immediate and ease of ACCESS to competent and ongoing mental health treatment , there would not be 26 families in Newtown with lost loved ones. Intelligent, mentally ill individuals can always concoct a way to destroy other people if so disposed; think of the uni-bomber in OK. Cure Mental Illness. There’s a cause worth getting excited about.
Anonymous says
could not agree with you more!!!
You are “dead on” right.
Capt Cheapwood says
1 adam 12…1 adam 12….we have a 6497 in progress. 4 year old with sling shot threaten to pop his cat. Swat called out. Bring assault tank and gunship helicopter…over !!!!
ryan says
Remember, all that matters is that innocent bystanders were not hurt, but people lie Adam Lanza were just evil, and should be permanently removed from society.