MELBOURNE, Fla. — A man was taken into custody Thursday following a standoff at an apartment complex, Melbourne police said.
Michael Taylor, 47, surrendered to police at about 10:30 a.m., authorities said.
Taylor had barricaded himself inside his home at the Coral Gardens apartment complex on Wickham Road, police said.
Police said the incident began when officers responded to a domestic violence call at the complex at about 11:30 p.m. Wednesday.
Raw: Man surrenders after standoff with Melbourne police
A neighbor recorded video showing police yelling for the man to come out with his hands up, and then a series of gunshots being fired.
Gunfire was exchanged between Taylor and police, authorities said.
A barrage of bullets were fired, narrowly missing police officers. One bullet went through a police cruiser’s passenger’s side window.
"Any time we're dealing with someone who is armed with a firearm and their intent is to hurt one of us, regardless of their training and their past, it's absolutely (a) concern," Melbourne Police Sgt. Sheridan Shelley said.
Authorities said Taylor is a veteran who served in combat.
“This was a very intense situation for our officer and the residents of the complex,” said Shelley.
Hours later, another veteran, George Taylor, founder of National Veterans Homeless Support, was called in and successfully talked Taylor out of his apartment.
George Taylor said he was relieved that it was resolved peacefully.
"Oh, it's definitely PTSD, and PTSD can (lie) dormant, but when you're having marital problems, it just compounds the other symptoms. So again, a combat veteran, it's easier to die than to live sometimes, so they just need to know we love them and support them and there is hope. There is help," George Taylor said.
About 30 residents waited outside after being told that they could not go into their homes.
Channel 9 reporter Roy Ramos found a Facebook account with posts about a shooting in Melbourne involving officers.
The posts read, “Got a gut wound” and had pictures of bullets in a wall.
“We are looking into the possibility social media was being used to communicate the situation that was going on ,and maybe even try to solicit information from others,” Shelley said.
Neighbor James Thomas told Channel 9 that police evacuated him and his wife from their home at about midnight.
"I was also told that two gentlemen had bullets come through their window, and it's just scary right now," said Thomas.
The residents were later allowed back into their homes.
Police said Taylor could face attempted murder charges.
No one was injured during the standoff.
http://twitter.com/JNormanWFTV/status/685133122858520581
WFTV
