Man taken into custody at Key West International Airport

 

A 30-year-old Arizona man was taken into custody Saturday after he threatened to have a gun while illegally breaching the Transportation Security Administration checkpoint at Key West International Airport.

The man quickly taken into protective care custody. He was not armed. He was transferred to a secure mental health facility. There were no injuries reported.

Deputies Vince Pacifico and Tamela Jensen were in the Sheriff’s Office office directly adjacent to the TSA checkpoint at 4:17 p.m. when they heard a man say, “Stop!” and then heard a different male voice say, “I have a gun, I have a gun!” as well as “Just shoot me!” and “Kill me!” They then heard someone yell, “Breach!” which means an unauthorized person had gone through the checkpoint.

Sgt. Bobby Brkett was in the departure area and he also responded to the checkpoint. Deputies Pacifico and Jensen arrived first with their service guns drawn. The man continued to say he had a gun and continued to state he wanted police to shoot and kill him. Both deputies saw the man was holding a cell phone in his right hand, but neither could see his left hand. The man had two pieces of baggage, but did not have direct access to either bag with his hands at the time.

Deputy Pacifico loudly told the man to get on the ground while continuing to walk toward the man with his service weapon drawn. The man did not obey Deputy Pacifico’s commands to get on the ground, but the man did lower the cell phone before ceasing to move. Deputies Pacifico and Jensen continued toward the man with their services weapons drawn until they were close enough to physically put the man on the ground.

Deputy Pacifico then handcuffed the man. Deputies Pacifico and Jensen searched the man and found no weapons.

The man was taken out of the checkpoint and to the Sheriff’s Office office where he verbally reaffirmed his desire to die and his wish to be shot by law enforcement.

The was taken to a secure mental health facility without further incident. The checkpoint was reopened approximately 20 minutes after the man was taken into protective care custody.

The Sheriff’s Office notified the FBI and they are investigating the incident at this time. Media questions regarding what, if any, charges should be directed toward that office.

“I want to thank Deputies Pacifico and Jensen for their quick and decisive actions that ended this terribly sad incident,” said Sheriff Rick Ramsay. “I’m happy to report that this man is getting the mental health care that he needs, but this incident also highlights the dangers of the world we live in today and realities that law enforcement officers must face. The outcome could have been far worse but for the immediate response by the deputies involved.”

[livemarket market_name="KONK Life LiveMarket" limit=3 category=“” show_signup=0 show_more=0]