Caught on camera: Broward sheriff's deputies shoot out with armed man in Pompano Beach
POMPANO BEACH - Several Broward sheriff's deputies were involved in a shoot-out with an armed man at a Pompano Beach apartment complex Tuesday evening and it was caught on camera.
The sheriff's office said around 9:30 p.m. they received a report about gunfire in the 700 block of NW 5 Avenue.
Several people who live in the complex said it began when their neighbor, who they identified as "Scott," could be heard yelling at something or someone. They said he could be very caring, but he was also paranoid and always walked around with his guns. They added that he was no stranger to law enforcement.
The woman who made the call to 911, who did not want to be identified in this report, said it was the sound of gunfire that got her attention.
"I came out to check what was going on. When I went back in the house we heard another shot, then we heard several shots, like a semi-automatic. That's when I picked up the phone and called 911. I was like 'Hey, over 20 shots have been fired.' As I was speaking to the 911 operator there were more shots being fired," she said.
Witnesses said when deputies arrived, Scott was standing in the courtyard with his guns and shot at them. They said the deputies returned fire and he was hit several times. The sheriff's office has not confirmed this account of what prompted the deputies to fire.
Video surveillance footage from the complex shows a deputy yelling at the man to drop his gun when a shot rang out. Then officers began shooting at the man who was off camera. Several rounds of gunfire were heard and then silence.
Pompano Beach Fire Rescue took the injured man to a nearby hospital. No one else was injured.
The woman who called 911 said the shooting happened outside her son's room and she's not sure how she's supposed to protect him. Others who live in the area said there is too much gun violence in the neighborhood.
As per protocol, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement will investigate the officer-involved shooting.