Burglary suspect found dead after standoff

Deputies: Man dies from apparent self-inflected gunshot wound

COCOA, Fla. – Local 6 has learned that a man wanted for a string of burglaries has died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound after a standoff with Brevard County deputies.

The standoff took place at a Merritt Island home on the 300 block of Riverside Avenue around 3 p.m. Friday.

Deputies are not releasing the man's name until they are able to notify his family.

Officers were called out to the home after Cocoa police indicated that a felony suspect may be hiding out there.

Investigators tell Local 6, the man was wanted for several crimes including burglarizing a business near a flea market.

Earlier this month, the Brevard County Sheriff's Office released surveillance video of man burglarizing the Skeeter Lagoon Family Grill in Cocoa on June 11th. Shortly after that, there was an arson at the Space Coast Flea Market right next door.

Investigators are still working to determine if the crimes are all connected, but when they arrived at the home Friday afternoon, things quickly turned violent.

"When we made contact with the individual, he retreated into a bedroom into a home and ultimately barricaded himself in the bathroom," said Brevard Sheriff Lt. Mike Scully.

The home belongs to the mother of the suspect's girlfriend. She was home at the time along with her 7-year-old granddaughter. Both were able to quickly leave the home once authorities arrived.

"The individual released the child immediately, it was not his child and the home was safe for any other parties," said Lt. Scully.

Investigators say just as SWAT members were getting into place, officers heard a single, self-inflicted gunshot.

Detectives said they are now working to learn more about the man and just how many crimes he may have committed.


About the Author:

Lisa Bell has been in Central Florida since 2007, covering the big stories that impact our community. Lisa was promoted to News 6 evening news co-anchor in May 2014.

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