FORT MYERS, Fla. — Authorities arrested a man who barricaded himself inside of a McDonald's in Fort Myers Saturday morning after shooting at Fort Myers police officers.
Sheriff Carmine Marceno said the officers encountered the armed man around 11 a.m. When they approached him, they said that's when he opened fire and ran into the McDonald's on Palm Beach Blvd.
Sheriff Marceno said both departments were able to work together to help get everyone inside of the fast-food restaurant out safely.
During a news conference, he explained law enforcement was talking to him on a cellphone when the phone died. One of the officers was able to lend the man his phone so they could continue to talk. They were also able to use technology to further their communication with the suspect.
"We utilized one of our robots and a drone. The robot can see, can hear and can communicate, so you don’t just send someone into that building and then there is a deadly confrontation. You send that robot in so we know what is going on, so we can see what’s going on, and we can communicate," Sheriff Marceno said.
Colleen Harrell said she saw the whole stand-off. She said law enforcement made multiple attempts for the suspect to come outside.
“Come out with your hand up. Come out with your hands up. They said it multiple times," she said.
Sheriff Marceno said the man refused to come out, so they released tear gas and took him into custody.
“We used less than lethal and we gassed him out," Sheriff Marceno said.
Following protocol, the man was taken to the hospital to be treated for minor injuries before being taken to jail.
Sheriff Marceno said there were no injuries, including those officers that got shot at.
The Lee County Sheriff's Office said the investigation is ongoing as they look further into the altercation.
