Caught on video: BSO deputies exchange gunfire with armed man in Pompano Beach
FORT LAUDERDALE - Several Broward sheriff's deputies were involved in a shootout 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.
Deputies said they were initially called after reports that a man had fired a gun into the roof of his apartment.
No one in the unit above, 2 children and 3 adults were hurt in the shooting.
BSO said 52-year-old Scott Simonelli has been Baker acted in the past. They say he has made threats of violence before.
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, and 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 shooting at them. They said the deputies returned fire, and he was hit three 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.
Simonelli is facing charges of attempted homicide of a law enforcement officer and aggravated assault. The two officers who fired weapons are on administrative leave.
As per protocol, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement will investigate the officer-involved shooting.
CBS News Miami asked Tony about Simonelli's access to guns.
"So, we know that you've recovered some (guns) in the home and he used the AR in this situation, are these legal guns?"
"We haven't had anything that was reported stolen at this time. If that's your question. So, perhaps he purchased them. Maybe, they belonged to family members but whatever that is we haven't had anything reported that it was stolen," Tony responded.
