ABOVE VIDEO: Cocoa Beach hours-long standoff ends, man in custody, police say. (FOX 35 Orlando)
BREVARD COUNTY • COCOA BEACH, FLORIDA – An armed man described by authorities as being in distress was safely taken into custody Monday after an hours-long standoff at a business along North Atlantic Avenue in Cocoa Beach.
According to the Cocoa Beach Police Department, officers initially responded around midnight on June 22 after receiving a report of an individual armed with a firearm who appeared to be experiencing a crisis.
Police searched the area throughout the early morning hours to ensure public safety before locating the man inside his business near the 625 block of North Atlantic Avenue around 4 a.m.
Authorities established a perimeter and began negotiations with the individual, working for several hours in an effort to resolve the situation peacefully. Around 10 a.m., police announced that the incident had been contained.
After negotiations continued through the morning, emergency response teams from the Cocoa Beach and Rockledge police departments were called in to assist. Officers ultimately conducted a tactical operation to enter the building and safely take the man into custody just before noon.
“At no time was there ever a threat to anybody in the community or any other business,” Cocoa Beach Police Lt. Bill Stanley said during a media briefing.
The identity of the individual has not been released, and authorities have not announced whether any charges will be filed. Investigators also have not confirmed whether a firearm was recovered from the scene or identified the specific business involved.
Police said the man was armed and appeared to pose a danger to himself. Officials have not disclosed whether he made any threats toward officers or members of the public.
