- An armed barricaded suspect surrendered and was taken into custody Wednesday morning at CountryWay TownSquare in Newberry.
- The Alachua County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team evacuated nearby homes and instructed residents to shelter in place during the operation.
- Law enforcement used a distraction device causing a loud boom, and the Marion County SWAT and Alachua Fire Rescue drone team assisted the ACSO.
UPDATE (Sept. 2, 4 p.m.) — An armed convicted felon accused of attacking an elderly victim, threatening the victim with a firearm and preventing the victim from leaving a Newberry residence was taken into custody Wednesday morning following a more than nine-hour SWAT standoff, according to an Alachua County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO) release.
At approximately 8:45 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 1, Alachua County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a residence in the Jonesville area following a report of a battery that occurred at a home in CountryWay TownSquare in Newberry.
Deputies met with an elderly victim who reported that on Aug. 31, 44-year-old Earnest Coleman became involved in a verbal dispute that escalated into a physical attack inside the residence and continued into the following day.
According to the victim, Coleman allegedly threatened the victim with a firearm, took the victim’s cellphone and prevented the victim from leaving the residence. The victim also reported that Coleman appeared to be under the influence of narcotics.
The victim eventually escaped the residence, sought safety at a nearby family member’s home and contacted law enforcement. Deputies observed visible bruising that was consistent with the victim’s account.
A criminal history check showed that Coleman is a convicted felon with prior convictions, including possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Deputies also confirmed that Coleman is the subject of an active protection order involving a separate victim.
Deputies responded to a residence in the 24600 block of Southwest 21st Circle, where they established a perimeter and repeatedly instructed Coleman over a public address system to exit the residence peacefully.
Despite numerous attempts over several hours, Coleman refused to surrender. Investigators determined that he remained inside the residence, was believed to be armed and had access to multiple firearms.
The Sheriff’s Office activated its SWAT team, Bomb Squad, K-9 Unit and Criminal Investigations Division. The Alachua County Fire Rescue Drone Team also responded to assist.
As a precaution, nearby residents were evacuated or asked to avoid the area while law enforcement worked to resolve the incident safely.
For more than nine hours, deputies and specialized units attempted to bring the standoff to a peaceful conclusion. The Bomb Squad deployed a robot inside the residence, while the SWAT team used distraction devices and chemical agents in an effort to gain Coleman’s compliance.
The Marion County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team and the Florida Highway Patrol Drone Team also responded to assist during the operation.
Search and arrest warrants were obtained for Coleman.
At approximately 9:20 a.m. on Wednesday, Coleman surrendered and was taken into custody.
Coleman faces charges of battery on a person 65 years of age or older, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, false imprisonment, and possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon.
Original story:
An armed barricaded suspect surrendered Wednesday morning and is in custody following a prolonged law enforcement operation at CountryWay TownSquare in Newberry.
According to an Alachua County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO) release, the incident began early Wednesday morning at 24639 SW 21st Circle, where deputies responded to a report of an armed person believed to be barricaded inside a residence.
The situation prompted the response of the ACSO SWAT team and other law enforcement resources. Several homes surrounding the residence were evacuated, while residents in the immediate area were instructed to shelter in place and stay away from exterior windows.
As of 9:45 a.m., the suspect is now in custody and residents who were evacuated may return to their homes.
The scene remains active as detectives and forensic personnel execute a search warrant as part of the ongoing investigation. Residents and members of the public who were not evacuated are asked to avoid the area while law enforcement operations continue.
During the incident, residents reported hearing a loud boom. ACSO reported the sound was not a gunshot and resulted from the use of a distraction device by law enforcement.
The Marion County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team assisted ACSO during the. The Alachua County Fire Rescue drone team also assisted with the operation.