- 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.
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.