FLAGLER COUNTY, Florida – Flagler County Sheriff’s Office deputies safely resolved a series of escalating incidents involving a Palm Coast man in what authorities described as a severe mental health crisis, taking him into custody without force after he briefly pointed what appeared to be a handgun at deputies.
The incidents began Saturday, February 7, 2026, when Keith McCabe, 55, repeatedly called 911 and the non-emergency line from his home on Clearview Court North, making what deputies described as paranoid and erratic statements. He demanded a large law enforcement response but refused to cooperate once deputies arrived. Deputies found McCabe in his front yard engaged in a loud verbal confrontation with someone who was not present and expressing fears that deputies intended to harm him and his dog.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, deputies have responded to prior calls at the residence in recent years involving neighborhood disputes and reports of erratic behavior.
On February 8, deputies arrested McCabe for obstruction without violence after he continued placing numerous 911 calls making incoherent accusations. In the span of a week, authorities said he placed 15 calls to 911 and 23 calls to the non-emergency line from two phone numbers. Information was forwarded to the State Attorney’s Office for review regarding misuse of the 911 system. Deputies said he did not meet criteria for involuntary evaluation under the Baker Act at that time. McCabe was booked into the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility and later released on $500 bond.
Within five hours of his release, McCabe again contacted law enforcement, calling the non-emergency line to complain about his arrest before placing another 911 call requesting state police, the FBI and the governor’s mansion.
The situation escalated Monday, February 9, when neighbors reported McCabe acting erratically and yelling. Deputies responded and asked him to exit his home. Authorities said McCabe briefly retreated inside before returning to the doorway and pointing what appeared to be a black handgun at deputies. As deputies drew their weapons, McCabe dropped the item and ran back into the residence.
After about 30 minutes of continued communication, deputies persuaded McCabe to sit in the rear lanai area. While speaking with deputies, he expressed suicidal intentions and jumped into a pool. Deputies entered the lanai and issued verbal commands until he exited the water. He was then taken into custody without further incident.
The object McCabe pointed at deputies was later identified as a Byrna SD Kinetic Launcher, a .68 caliber CO2-powered air pistol marketed as a non-lethal device.
Sheriff Rick Staly credited deputies’ training in de-escalation and crisis response for preventing the situation from escalating further, saying their patience and communication helped avoid a potential deputy-involved shooting.
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