Detectives said the man shot at three cars in Marathon.
A man with an AR-15 assault rifle shot at three Monroe County Sheriff's Office vehicles while deputies were responding to an apartment complex in Marathon on Thursday before taking his own life, authorities said.
Deputies were called to the complex on Sombrero Boulevard at around 10 p.m. for a man throwing objects from the roof, according to the sheriff's office.
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WATCH HERE"Deputies heard gunshots as they approached the building," the department said in a statement. They were "clear of their vehicles when the gunman began shooting."
No one was hurt. Photos released by the sheriff's office showed the deputies' vehicles with shattered windows and bullet holes from the gunfire.
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The shooting prompted response from SWAT, Florida Highway Patrol, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Roads were closed nearby.
"Two helicopters from the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office, one carrying a law enforcement sniper, also responded," the sheriff's office said.
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One of the helicopters saw the suspect motionless on the roof, and when the SWAT Team approached, they confirmed he had died by suicide. The AR-15 and a Glock pistol were found by his body, officials said.
The man was identified as 53-year-old Duane Clayton Day, a resident of the complex. Officials said he had recently gotten divorced and lost his job.
“I am relieved no Deputies or members of the public were harmed during this incident,” Monroe Sheriff Rick Ramsay said in a post on Facebook. “I want to thank the brave Deputies and Officers who responded and ran toward danger to ensure our community’s safety.”
If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or chat live at 988lifeline.org. You can also visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for additional support.
