Caught on video: BSO officers exchange gunfire with armed man in Pompano Beach

FORT LAUDERDALE – Several Broward sheriff’s deputies were involved in a shootout with an armed man at a Pompano Beach apartment complex Tuesday night that was captured on video.

The sheriff’s office said it received a report of shots fired in the 700 block of NW 5 Avenue around 9:30 p.m.

Deputies said they were initially called after receiving reports that a man had fired a gun into the roof of his apartment.
No one was injured in the above-mentioned unit, two children and three adults were injured in the shooting.

According to BSO, 52-year-old Scott Simonelli has been a victim of Baker’s activities in the past. They say he has made threats of violence before.

Several residents of the complex said it started when they heard their neighbor, who they identified as “Scott,” yelling at something or someone. They said he could be very caring, but he was also paranoid and always walking around with his guns. They added that he was no stranger to police affairs.

The woman who called 911 and wished to remain anonymous in this report said it was the sound of gunshots that caught her attention.

“I came out to see what was going on. When I went back in the house, we heard another shot and then several shots, like from a semi-automatic weapon. That’s when I picked up the phone and called 911. I said, ‘Hey, there were over 20 shots fired.’ While I was talking to 911, more shots were fired,” she said.

Witnesses said when officers arrived, Scott was standing in the yard with his guns and firing at them. They said officers returned fire and he was hit three times. The sheriff’s office has not confirmed this account of what prompted the officers to shoot.

Video surveillance footage from the complex shows an officer yelling at the man to drop his weapon as a shot rings out. Officers then began shooting at the man, who was out of view of the camera. Several shots were heard, then silence.

The Pompano Beach Fire Department took the injured man to a nearby hospital. No one else was injured.

The woman who called 911 said the shooting happened outside her son’s room and she didn’t know how to protect him. Other residents said there was too much gun violence in the neighborhood.

Simonelli, who is expected to recover, is charged with attempted murder of a police officer and aggravated assault. The two officers who fired weapons are on administrative leave.

According to protocol, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement will investigate the officer-involved shooting.

CBS News Miami reached out to Simonelli’s family, but they said they did not wish to comment.

We also asked Sheriff Tony about Simonelli’s access to weapons.

“So we know you seized some (guns) in the house and he used the AR in that situation. Are those legal weapons?”

“Nothing has been reported stolen to us yet, if that’s your question. So maybe he bought them. Maybe they belonged to family members, but whatever it is, nothing has been reported stolen to us yet,” Tony replied.