Active Shooter William Joseph Banks: ‘I Declare War Against the United States of America…Come and Get It’

SWAT teams take out active shooter: 'I'm making my stand right here...Come get it'

ABOVE VIDEO: Melbourne Police Chief David Gillespie briefed reporters on the active shooter situation in Melbourne. The suspect has been shot and the “threat has been neutralized,” he said.

ABOVE VIDEO: Melbourne Police and SWAT teams were called to an active shooter situation in the area of Babcock Street and Strawbridge Avenue on Wednesday morning.

BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA – Melbourne Police and SWAT teams were called to an active shooter situation in the area of Babcock Street and Strawbridge Avenue on Wednesday morning that left the barricaded man who fired on Melbourne police dead.

A spokesperson for the Melbourne Police Department identified the dead shooter as  47-year-old William J. Banks Jr. of Melbourne, and following is a transcript of the 911 call placed by Banks, who said, “I declare war against the United States of America.”

[911 OPERATOR]:

911, what’s the location of your emergency? (0:05)

[WILLIAM JOSEPH BANKS JR.]:

This is not really an emergency, this is me, William Joseph Banks Jr. stating that I declare war against the United States of America (0:19) because of the pedophilia, the atrocities against its own people, the veterans, the homeless, the immigration, everything. (0:32)

You guys are corrupt. I’m done. I’ve had it with you all. This is it. I’m making my stand right here. (0:41)

I’m doing what nobody else would do. I do this for all Americans. (0:45)

Every voiceless, every person, every kid that’s been missing, every child that has gone missing, I’m doing this for them. (0:54)

You can find me right here, 33 West, Strawbridge Ave, Apartment E10, Melbourne, Florida. Come get it. (1:04)

[911 OPERATOR]:

Do you have any weapons, sir? 

[END]

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THE 911- CALL

Melbourne Police Chief David Gillespie said, “They (the officers) didn’t have the opportunity to knock on the door. So, again, we’re very fortunate.”

Over a dozen shots were heard in the area, according to eyewitnesses in the area. No officers were hurt.

Police announced around 10:40 a.m. that the incident was contained, but the investigation is still ongoing.

“At approximately 7:56 a.m., the Melbourne Police Department received a call from a male at the Pentagon Apartment Complex,” said MPD Sgt. Ben Slover.

“Officers were dispatched to the location to check the well-being of the male. As two officers arrived, they knocked on the front door and the male began shooting through the front door at the officers. As officers were taking cover, two additional officers arrived on scene and the male fired additional rounds out a window at those officers.”

The area was immediately locked down and officers from multiple agencies responded.

“SWAT teams and Crisis Negotiators responded and were attempting to contact the male by phone when he emerged out the front door armed with weapon,” said Sgt. Slover. “Officers fired and the male collapsed to ground.”

Officers attempted to provide medical aid, however, he succumbed to his injuries.

A Melbourne police spokesperson said during this incident, a multijurisdictional tactical team was deployed. The team was made up of personnel from the Melbourne Police Department, Brevard County Sheriff’s Office and the Palm Bay Police Department.

All involved personnel are members of their department’s SWAT teams. The personnel who fired their weapons were:

Melbourne Police Department
■ Det. J. Hazelett – 24 years of service
■ Ofc. M. Sampieri – 22 years of service
■ Sgt. B. Kleeberg – 15 years of service
■ Sgt. E. Wells – 15 years of service
■ Det. C. Clayton – 9 years of service
■ Det. T. Clifford – 9 years of service

Brevard County Sheriff’s Office
■ Agent R. Clements – 16 years of service

Palm Bay Police Department
■ Ofc. B. Naymik – 6 years of service

The Melbourne Police Department personnel remain on administrative leave pending the outcome of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigation.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Melbourne Police Department at 321-608-6731 or Central Florida Crimeline at 800-423-TIPS.

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