DELAND, Fla. — DeLand Police are asking for your help in finding a gunman who opened fire on several vehicles in the department’s parking lot.

• At least 3 DeLand Police vehicles found with bullet damage
• Vehicles included K-9 vehicle and crime-scene van
• Nearby residents reporting hearing gunshots, loud muffler

Police said residents near the 219 W. Howry Ave. station told them they heard gunshots at about 2:30 a.m. Sunday, then a vehicle with a loud muffler drive away.

The vehicles damaged include a Police Athletic League van, a crime-scene van and a spare K-9 vehicle. The Police Athletic League van had a flat tire, a bullet hole in the right rear door and through the bench seats inside, police said.

Authorities said the nonprofit group The House Next Door gifted one of the damaged vans to the Police Athletic League to help transport elementary-aged children to an after-school tutoring program. 

One of the witnesses told police that the shooting sounded like "someone emptied a whole clip of ammunition," according to an incident report.

Chief Jason Umberger said he is not sure what the gunman’s intent or motive may have been by shooting at the police department.

“It’s hard to say what their motivation would be, but I can tell you this, we’re not intimidated by it and we’re not afraid of it," Umberger said.

It could cost several thousand dollars to fix all four vehicles, although it’s not clear whether it would be paid for out of a general fund or covered by insurance. 

The department's parking lot is fairly open, without a protective fence. A security camera on the building does not have a view of the area of the parking lot and street where the shooting happened. 

Umberger said improving the physical security around the building has been a focus during the 18 months he’s been on the job, and he's hopeful this incident can help speed up adding possible fencing or additional cameras.

The investigation is ongoing, and anyone who can shed light on the shooting is urged to contact DeLand Police. You can submit tips online at the department's website.