A Miami Beach man waving a firearm at passersby outside his condo on Friday afternoon prompted the arrival of more than a dozen officers armed with high-powered guns. By early evening, negotiators had defused the situation with the individual, who was suffering from a mental health crisis. Around 5 p.m., authorities received many 911 calls reporting a guy aiming a gun at pedestrians and a condo building near 1200 West Avenue, according to Miami Beach authorities Department spokesperson Christopher Bess. Bess stated that Miami Beach police SWAT and hostage-negotiation units arrived swiftly to the danger. Negotiators chatted with the individual, who was not recognized and convinced him to surrender without incident.
Because of his mental state, Bess said, the man is in protective custody and will most likely be Baker Acted and sent to a mental health facility. Several streets were temporarily closed while cops investigated, but they reopened.
