BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — A suspect was killed during tense moments in Melbourne on Wednesday after police swarmed an apartment complex where they say a man was threatening to shoot and kill them.

What You Need To Know

  • The suspect in an active shooting situation in Melbourne was killed, police say

  • Law enforcement said a man at Pentagon Gardens apartments fired at officers responding to the scene 

  • Police blocked off the area and took up a defensive posture at first but did not exchange fire, they said

  • People who lived and worked in the area near the apartments were told to shelter in place

  • The man re-emerged from his apartment about 10 a.m. and fired shots at officers again, and police returned fire

The incident began about 8:30 a.m. ET at the Pentagon Gardens complex near the intersection of Babcock Street and west Strawbridge Avenue.

Melbourne police, along with help from the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office, and Palm Bay and West Melbourne police, surrounded the area.

“As the officers arrived on scene, they were immediately engaged by the suspect firing shots at the officers," Melbourne Police Sgt. Ben Slover said. "The officers did not return fire at that time. They just took up a defensive posture based on the situation. They backed off and put up a perimeter.”

Employees of local businesses were told to stay indoors and shelter in place.

Keishla Ayala, who works in a clinic next to the complex, said she had just arrived for her shift when employees were told to stay in place.

“Within two minutes they were everywhere, and I was terrified just trying to get into the building,” she said.

Ayala, who is pregnant, said she hid under her desk for the next 2-1/2 hours.

In the meantime, her friend Brittany Sanders drove all the way from Titusville to make sure she was OK. She praised the officers.

“They are good at what they do," Sanders said. "They got out here right away, so they brought the whole crew. Can’t thank them enough for being quick and on top of it.”

Just before 10 a.m., about two dozen shots rang out.

Police said the suspect once again came out of the apartment and began firing at them.

“None of the officers were struck, but the individual was,” Slover said.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is now investigating the incident.

Law enforcement still has the apartment complex roped off while the investigation continues. But the roads in the area that had been blocked off have reopened.