Elderly man fires at Brevard authorities causing standoff, police say

1 paramedic injured while doing well-being check

TITUSVILLE, Fla. – Brevard County SWAT team surrounded a Titusville home overnight after an elderly man shot at police and paramedics trying to check on him.

Authorities said the incident happened at a home on West Street off of DeLeon Avenue near County Road 405.

Police said 80-year-old Fred Banks shot at firefighters when they were trying to break into a window at around 8:30 p.m. Wednesday when they didn't get a response at the door.

Firefighters said they ran from the window and after they announced they were there again Banks shot at them again. One paramedic was injured and treated on scene.

"We followed all the procedures had law enforcement there for forcing entry. We're not expecting to have somebody shoot a bullet through the window," said Scott Gaenicke of Titusville Fire Department.

The SWAT team responded and went into a several hour standoff with Banks before convincing him to come out. Police said when he did come out of his home, he acted like nothing happened.

Banks' family says he may be suffering from dementia or Alzheimer's, although he has not been clinically diagnosed.

Banks will  be charge with aggravated assault on police officer, firefighter and throwin ga deadly weapon into a dwelling.


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