This story was last updated on: 3:19 p.m., Monday, May 22, 2017.

A suicidal man has barricaded himself in his townshome with an assault rifle on early Monday morning, according to the Daytona Beach Shores Police Department.

  • Suicidal man barricaded in his townhome, police say
  • Residents were evacuated

On Monday afternoon, police said that the man threw an AR15 rifle off his roof.

During a morning press conference, Public Safety Director Stephan Dembinsky said Monday morning that a man has barricaded himself at the Townhomes at the Ocean on 2934 Sea Oats Circle in Daytona Beach Shores.

At around 5:27 a.m., Monday, officers heard screaming coming from the townhouse and investigated. They discovered a man at the townhouse who said he was armed and wanted to hurt himself, Dembinsky said.

"He obviously needs help. He had problems in the past, we know," Dembinsky said. 

During the first press conference, Dembinsky said police did not believe the man was armed, but an updated Facebook post on the department's page stated the man is armed with an "assault rifle."

In a second press conference later in the day, Dembinsky confirmed that the 36-year-old man does have an assault rifle. He said the man showed the rifle to officers, but did not point it at anyone or fired.

A SWAT team and trained negotiators are on the scene, speaking with the man, Dembinsky said, who also stated that at one point the man was ready to come out, but decided not to.

"We don't want to hurt this gentleman," Dembinsky said, who would not reveal the man's identity. He also said at the second press conference, "We are doing our best to bring this to a peaceful resolution."

The man, who lives alone and his mother died a few years ago, called his lawyer to tell the police to leave, said Dembinsky. One of his attorneys are at the scene and police are waiting for him to speak to the barricaded man. 

Dembinsky also said that nearby residents have been evacuated and others have been told to stay inside. Police have closed off A1A, south of Thames afternoon, authorities stated.

This is not the first time the department had to deal with this individual, according to Dembinsky. He said that officers had to come to the home in the past because the man wanted to harm himself.

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