TOWN 'N' COUNTRY, Fla. — Deputies in Hillsborough County say an armed man who barricaded himself inside an apartment unit Wednesday night has died due to an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Authorities responded to the scene after receiving reports of a shooting at the Five-West Apartments located on Net Drive and George Road in Town 'n' Country, a spokesperson for the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office told 10 Tampa Bay.
Deputies say the man fired shots at a bail bondsman who was serving a trafficking in fentanyl warrant to the man, grazing his arm. However, he was not seriously hurt, officials say.
Law enforcement says that's when the armed barricaded man refused to come out of his apartment.
Speaking during a news conference Wednesday night, Hillsborough County Chief Deputy Joseph Maurer said it appears the armed man died around 11 p.m. after he shot himself.
Maurer said the sheriff's office is still working to identify the person.
Several nearby apartment units that were reportedly evacuated for safety reasons are now being let back into their homes.
The sheriff's office says the Crisis Negotiation Team and SWAT units also responded to the scene.
"I'm thankful that due to the diligent and brave efforts of our deputies, no other innocent lives were impacted by this individual," Sheriff Chad Chronister said. "This situation could have ended much differently had our team not swiftly assessed the scene and protected our citizens from a man determined not to be taken into custody. Incidents like this are why teamHCSO invests in technology to keep our community and personnel safe."