Key Biscayne Traffic Snarled By Man Threatening To Harm Himself

KEY BISCAYNE, FL — Police shut down the only road into the village of Key Biscayne for a time Friday as an armed man threatened to harm himself. The 1.3 square mile island is home to a number of homes, Crandon Park, Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park and The Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne. Village police told Patch they were flooded with calls as frustrated motorists tried to make it into the island.

"We have shut down the inbound traffic into Key Biscayne on Rickenbacker Causeway because of a man who is armed, and threatening to harm himself. SWAT/hostage negotiators on scene," according to the Miami Police Department. "Avoid area."

Police later took the man into custody and traffic was reopened shortly after 1 p.m., according to Miami police.

Key Biscayne police told Patch that a number of people were unable to get to work on the island as a result of the incident, which began around 7 a.m. and was still ongoing after 10 a.m.

Outbound traffic was able to get through. mThe causeway is located in the city of Miami.

Photo courtesy Miami Police Department