NewsTreasure CoastRegion Indian River CountyVero Beach

Actions

Man surrenders after barricading in apartment complex with gun in Vero Beach

Residents of Pemberly Pines Apartment Homes told to leave
Man barricades himself in Pemberly Park Apartment Homes in Vero Beach on March 5, 2023
Posted at 11:53 PM, Mar 05, 2023
and last updated 2023-03-06 20:48:49-05

VERO BEACH, Fla. — A man surrendered to authorities late Sunday after he barricaded himself inside his apartment with a gun for several hours.

Dozens of residents were forced to leave their apartments at Pemberly Pines Apartment Homes.

The Indian River County Sheriff's Office told WPTV's Danielle Seat at about 11:30 p.m. that the man came out of the apartment with his hands up and unarmed. No injuries were reported.

The apartment complex is off Fifth Avenue, west of Indian River Boulevard and east of U.S. Highway 1.

The situation started just before 6 p.m. when people in the area called 911 to say a man had shot off a handgun.

Additional callers said they heard the man say "things are going to get bad later" and "I'm going to get in a shootout with law enforcement," according to the Indian River County Sheriff's Office.

When police arrived at the complex, the man, said to be in his 40s, had barricaded himself in the apartment, according to the sheriff's office.

The man may have been having a mental health crisis, officials said.