Hours-long standoff ends with Florida Keys deputies tackling man holed up in his house
A standoff Monday in a quiet Key Largo neighborhood ended dramatically, with sheriff’s deputies and state wildlife police tackling the man who they were trying to get to emerge from his home for more than eight hours.
The man, identified as 44-year-old Jerrick Sumlin, was holed up in his home after threatening a woman with a shotgun and knife. according to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office.
The woman ran away from the house and told deputies Sumlin was also threatening to harm himself, sheriff’s office spokesman Adam Linhardt said.
The standoff began around 10 a.m., and Sumlin did not come out of his house until shortly after 7 p.m. Toward the end, a negotiator pleaded with him to come out, promising he would not be hurt. She assured him his dogs would be taken care of.
The negotiator told Sumlin tactical officers would be moved away from the house. They did, but officers armed with semiautomatic rifles remained hidden behind cars parked on the street, covering his exit from the house.
When Sumlin came out, the tactical team rushed forward, demanding he get on the ground. He didn’t immediately comply, and the deputies tackled the shirtless man. The negotiator pleaded with him to stop moving.
Sumlin screamed while on the ground, as the sound of a stun gun was heard deploying.
Sumlin yelled, “I’m done! I’m not resisting.”
Deputies booked Sumlin on aggravated assault, domestic battery and resisting arrest charges, Linhardt said.
In the hours leading to the arrest, neighbors watched the tense situation as it slowly unfolded underneath the hot sun. Many gathered outside of homes. Others slowly passed by on their bicycles, pointing their phones at the blocked-off Janet Place.
David Sands, 55, lives next door to the man. He said police have kept him and other neighbors from returning home since around 11 a.m.
He said he’s known Sumlin for about two years, and he described him as an ideal neighbor.
“I’ve never seen a mean bone in his body, ever,” Sands said.
Sands did not know the circumstances behind the standoff, but said he was taken aback by the large police presence.
“I’ve known drug smugglers over the years who got arrested, but never anything like this,” Sands added.
The sheriff’s office asked people to stay clear of the area.
Reuben Gutierrez has lived on Janet Lane for about 10 years. He tried to get into his house late in the morning after hearing from his son that something was going on with the police, but deputies told him to leave immediately.
Gutierrez said he’s never seen any similar type of situation play out in the normally quiet neighborhood. “It’s kind of scary,” he said.
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This story was originally published September 25, 2023 at 5:59 PM with the headline "Hours-long standoff ends with Florida Keys deputies tackling man holed up in his house."
