In the first risk protection order granted in Palm Beach County, a West Palm Beach man is ordered to not own or possess firearms after threatening to stand in front of a train and use a weapon, court records show.
Delray Beach police asked a judge for the risk protection order on June 6 after the man stated he “wanted to do some damage” with a rifle, according to documents. The order was granted Wednesday.
Risk protection orders were created in Florida under the “Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act", passed after the deadly Parkland shooting.
Under the law, a court can prohibit a violent or mentally ill person from possessing a firearm or other weapon. Law enforcement is able to petition a court to have the person surrender a firearm and prohibit a person from possessing or buying guns.
The Broward Sheriff’s Office served a risk protection order on the accused Parkland shooter’s brother, Zachary Cruz.
WPTV is not identifying the man because the order is served in mental health court. He has not been charged with a crime related to the incident.
Officers report coming across the man on May 27 when said he was going to stand in front of a train because he didn’t feel well in the head. When the officer took him into custody to take him to a mental health facility, the man reportedly became aggressive.
He asked about the officer’s rifle magazine capacity, stating he wanted to do some damage with the weapon, the report states. Records show the man has recurring mental health issues.
According to Delray Beach Police, the man does not currently own any guns. He is not allowed to purchase guns for a year while the risk protection order is in place.
The next hearing in the case is scheduled for December.
On Wednesday, DBPD became the first agency in Palm Beach County to obtain a risk protection order by the power of Florida State Statute section 790.401, a.k.a. the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act. DBPD does #LEADtheWay to ensure public safety.
— Delray Beach Police (@DelrayBeachPD) June 21, 2018