Melbourne 'active shooter' suspect identified by police

MELBOURNE, Florida – Police have identified the suspect involved in an “active shooter” situation that unfolded Wednesday morning at a Melbourne apartment complex.

The man was identified as William J Banks Jr., 47, of Melbourne, according to the Melbourne Police Department.

At the time of the shooting, police said they were unable to release his identity pending notification of next of kin.

The situation began around 8:30 a.m. at the Pentagon Apartments on Babcock Street and Strawbridge Avenue after a 911 call was received regarding a “suspicious individual.” It turns out the call came from the alleged shooter himself, according to Sgt. Ben Slover of the Melbourne Police Department. He allegedly called 911 to threaten police, who responded by going to the apartment for a wellness check.

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Williams had barricaded himself in an apartment and began shooting at officers immediately after they arrived at the scene, according to Melbourne Police Chief David Gillespie.

No police officers were injured in the shooting.

“They didn't have a chance to knock on the door. So, again, we're very lucky,” the chief added.

At first, the police did not return fire on the suspect. Instead, they took a “defensive position,” established a perimeter and contained the scene, Gillespie said. Attempts by SWAT officers and crisis negotiation teams to get the suspect to surrender and safely resolve the situation failed when the suspect allegedly came out of the apartment and began shooting at them.

That's when several officers returned fire, the chief said.

Gillespie previously said the suspect was “in custody” following the shooting, but an update later Wednesday morning revealed the suspect was now dead and “the threat had been neutralized.”

It remains unclear why Williams locked himself in the apartment and began shooting at the officers, Gillespie said.

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The investigation is ongoing. The officer-involved shooting will be investigated by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, per standard protocol.