Negotiations End Peacefully After Plant City Man Barricades Himself

PLANT CITY, FL — The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office peacefully resolved an hours-long negotiation with a man barricaded inside his home after shooting at his family.

"In situations like these, we lean on our well-trained deputies and their knowledge of the tools provided to them to de-escalate a scene and find a peaceful solution," said Sheriff Chad Chronister. "The technology and resources we have are vital in keeping the public and our deputies safe, as well as a person who needs help in a difficult and emotional moment in their lives."

On Tuesday at 9:03 p.m., deputies responded to Swindell Road in Plant City after receiving reports of a man who had shot a firearm outside his home.

After making contact with the family, deputies learned that the man had received bad news regarding his health and was emotional and distraught. At one point, he shot at family members before entering his house and refusing to come out.

Throughout the night, deputies worked to make contact with him while understanding that he was still armed, but they could not convince the man to leave his house.

On Wednesday, several units were called out, including SWAT, the crisis negotiation team and the bomb disposal team, so the sheriff's office would have every tool available to de-escalate the situation.

After several hours of talking with the man inside his home, just after noon, deputies were able to subdue the man peacefully. He was taken to South Florida Baptist Hospital for medical attention.

"I commend the compassion and care our deputies showed to not only the person in his home but his family who only wanted to see their loved one safe and alive," said Chronister.