SUWANNEE COUNTY, Fla. — A barricaded suspect armed with weapons was taken into custody after a prolonged standoff that involved the use of a tactical drone, according to the Suwannee County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies responded May 8 to a disturbance in O’Brien involving Daniel Martinez, who was reportedly involved in an altercation with family members and had made threats to harm others.
When deputies arrived, they learned Martinez was believed to be armed with multiple knives and possibly a handgun. He barricaded himself inside a residence and refused to come out, prompting deputies to establish communication and attempt to de-escalate the situation.
After an extended standoff, the Sheriff’s Office Tactical Team was deployed to continue negotiations and develop a plan to safely take Martinez into custody.
During the operation, a drone operator deployed a BRINC Lemur 2 drone, which can breach windows and provide real-time interior surveillance. Deputies said the drone was flown into the home through a window, where it located Martinez inside a hallway holding what appeared to be a handgun.
Authorities said Martinez later set the firearm down and moved into the kitchen. Using that real-time information, tactical team members entered the residence and safely took him into custody without further incident.
Martinez was arrested and charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
Officials said the use of specialized equipment, including drones and tactical resources, played a key role in resolving the situation safely for everyone involved.
The Sheriff’s Office said the incident highlights the importance of technology and coordinated response efforts in high-risk situations.