Armed Man Barricaded In Clearwater Home Surrenders To SWAT Team

CLEARWATER, FL — A man who barricaded himself in a house at 1117 Ridge Ave. Sunday surrendered after the SWAT team fired gas canisters into the home around 10:45 p.m.

Just after 7 p.m., Clearwater police received a report of gunshots fired in the area. One of the first Clearwater police officers who arrived on the scene was grazed in the arm by a bullet.

The SWAT team and negotiators were called in along with Pinellas County sheriff's deputies. The man, identified by James Albert Wassman, 60, came out of the home when the gas canisters were fired.

The police officer who was grazed by a bullet was treated and relea, sed from Morton Plant Hospital.

Wassman was charged with aggravated assault on law enforcement and discharging a firearm on residential property.