HERNANDO COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) — An hours-long standoff was resolved after two people were rushed to an area hospital with gunshot wounds following an active shooter situation in Brooksville on Friday evening.
“It was a very extreme, chaotic scene there for quite some time,” explained Hernando County Sheriff Al Nienhuis.
Deputies were first called to the area of Erma Road and Star Road around 5 p.m. in response to a shots fired call and building fire.
Sheriff Nienhuis said the suspect, 64-year-old Steve Roosa, started a barn fire before several individuals approached him to investigate. That’s when deputies said Roosa pulled a gun and shot at least two people.
“It almost appears as though he either did not want them to extinguish the fire or it was set deliberately to lure people in to shoot them,” Nienhuis said. “Of course, we may never know what was going through his mind at the time.”
The first victim is believed to have non-life-threatening injuries and the second person’s condition is unknown as of this report.
“Even when you’re trying to do a good deed,” Nienhuis said. “If somebody is seriously mentally ill or has criminal, you have to be very careful.”
After the shootings, authorities said Roosa barricaded himself in a home on Erma Road until authorities arrived.
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Nienhuis said deputies sent a drone into the home and saw Roosa moving around inside. He also confirmed there were no victims inside the house.
“Hostage negotiators got close and tried to make contact with him,” Nienhuis said. “He completely refused to acknowledge our existence or in any way communicate with us.”
After several failed attempts to bring a peaceful end to the situation, Nienhuis said deputies made a forced entry into the home where Roosa was shot. Nienhuis said two deputies opened fire.
It is unknown at this time if Roosa shot back. His condition was not released.
“The situation is totally resolved at this point,” Nienhuis said. “The suspect is no longer a threat and has been taken into custody.”
“You never know what your neighbors are capable of sometimes,” he added.
