POMPANO BEACH, FLA. (WSVN) - Authorities are investigating a deputy-involved shooting in Pompano Beach after, deputies said, they were forced to fire during an exchange with an armed man.
According to the Broward Sheriff’s Office, the shooting happened around 9:30 p.m. on Tuesday, when deputies responded to the scene near the 700 block of Northwest Fifth Avenue.
Investigators said they received a 911 call about an armed irate man, identified as Scott Simonelli, who was firing gunshots in the courtyard of his apartment.
“715 Northwest Fifth Avenue. Caller says someone shot a bullet through her window,” a woman said over Broadcastify. “Her downstairs neighbor was the shooter. Advising the male is outside being loud.”
BSO released bodycam video showing the moment deputies arrived at the scene and encountered Simonelli. That is when, deputies said, they were forced to fire.
“You’re going to see different perspectives from the body-worn camera,” said BSO Sheriff Gregory Tony during Wednesday’s press conference. “That’s the first deputy we talked about; you see his light accidentally discharges. The suspect took that as an opportunity and as a surprise fires upon him.”
Surveillance video from a nearby building shows the deputies firing back at Simonelli. An estimated 16 rounds were fired during the confrontation. Simonelli was armed with an AR-15 rifle.
“Drop the [explicit] gun,” a deputy is heard yelling, followed by the sounds of gunfire.
Bodycam video shows Simonelli, 51, hiding behind garbage cans during the shootout. When he ran out of ammo, he finally listened to deputy’s commands and dropped his weapon.
Simonelli suffered three gunshot wounds. Pompano Beach Fire Rescue transported him to an area hospital where he is in stable condition. He is expected to make a full recovery.
Bullet holes were visible on the nearby apartment buildings and vehicles that were in the path of the extensive shootout.
Area resident Alexis Barofsky spoke with 7News on Wednesday. She said she was threatened by her neighbor, a very agitated Simonelli.
“Very traumatizing. Honestly didn’t know where the shots were going, so I was very scared,” said Barofsky. “I’m just very very appreciative of those officers who saved us.”
Barofsky showed 7News the bullet holes that were left outside her apartment. She said Simonelli snapped after trying unsuccessfully to get her to come out of her apartment.
“This is the bullet hole right here from my door,” she said.
Neighbors left shaken by the incident said the man was a veteran with military experience and owned guns.
“The first thing my son tells me is, ‘I don’t want to die’. And for us to just move over here, and that is what’s heartbreaking for me, that my 9-year-old has to think about living or dying,” said a neighbor. “So now my thing is, how do I get out of this?”
The 911 caller told 7News that it appeared the man was experiencing a mental episode, as she recalled him arguing with himself before firing shots.
According to another neighbor, Simonelli was upset and heard arguing with Barofsky over noise.
“The man outside, he was already yelling at himself. He came to my door with a flashlight telling us to come outside, like luring us outside. I don’t know to do what,” said Barofsky. “We heard a gun go off. I got my two kids, one in my bed, on in the covers and called 911. “
“I came out to check what was going on,” said a neighbor. “We heard another gunshot, and then we heard several shots.”
Other community members disagree with these residents’ accounts, even describing the man as a protector.
“He’s always been a protector. I don’t just see him going crazy like that. He was a really nice guy, a sweetheart. I know for a fact something happened. Someone was bothering him,” said Nacoria. “Someone was messing with him, because he doesn’t mess with anybody.”
Detectives said Simonelli was upset with the neighbor and began firing his gun at the neighbor’s apartment.
Simonelli works as a tactical firearm instructor and had more guns in his home, according to officials.
Authorities have not confirmed the man’s mental state at the time of the incident.
Once Simonelli is released from the hospital, he will be transported to the Broward County Jail.
He faces multiple charges, including attempted murder of a law enforcement officer.
As is customary in police-involved shootings, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement will investigate the use-of-force aspect of this incident.
As of Wednesday, two deputies are on administrative leave as the investigation continues.
No other injuries were reported.
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