Man Shoots 3 Sheriff’s Vehicles In Florida Keys Before Taking Own Life

Authorities in the Florida Keys were still working Friday to identify a man who shot three sheriff’s vehicles before taking his own life Thursday.

The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office said deputies responded at around 10 p.m. Thursday to an apartment complex on Sombrero Boulevard in Marathon for a report of a man throwing objects from the roof. As deputies approached the building, they heard gunshots.

The deputies were already clear of their vehicles when the man fired at them, and were uninjured. Authorities established a perimeter, blocking nearby roads to protect the public, and a SWAT team responded to the scene, along with officers from the Florida Highway Patrol, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Two Miami-Dade Sheriffs Office helicopters also responded, one of which was carrying a law enforcement sniper, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office said. But the helicopter crews spotted the suspect “motionless” on the roof.

The SWAT team moved in, and found the man dead of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. He had been armed with an AR-15 assault rifle, authorities said.

“I am relieved no Deputies or members of the public were harmed during this incident,” said Monroe County Sheriff Rick Ramsay. “I want to thank the brave Deputies and Officers who responded and ran toward danger to ensure our communitys safety.”

The investigation remains ongoing. As of Friday morning, authorities were still working to identify the man.