BUNNELL, FL – Flagler County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO) deputies successfully deescalated a dangerous situation involving 57-year-old Michael Wells of Palm Coast on Monday night. Deputies responded to Wells’ residence on Brunswick Lane around 8:30pm on Monday after Wells had reportedly battered a family member within the home. The family member was able to retreat down the street and call 911 to prompt the law enforcement response. Wells had reportedly been intoxicated and irate for several hours.
Upon law enforcement arrival, Wells refused to exit the residence and had reportedly stated he “wouldn’t go down without a fight.” The family member had also advised there was at least one firearm within the residence.
After nearly 1.5 hours of negotiations by the Crisis Negotiations Team attempting to get Wells to come out safely on his own accord, Wells placed a firearm near the front door for deputies to retrieve. After deputies retrieved the firearm, Wells became irate again and retreated further into the residence and came towards the front with another firearm in his hand. Although he never pointed the firearm at deputies, Wells had brandished it while yelling at them.
Nearly 30 minutes after confronting deputies with the firearm, Wells surrendered and was taken into custody. Wells was arrested for Domestic – Battery, Domestic – Assault, Domestic – Strangulation, Domestic – False Imprisonment, Resisting an Officer with Violence, and Aggravated Assault on an Officer. He is being held at the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility on $102,500 bond.
“Deputies encountered an extremely dangerous situation and used de-escalation techniques to bring Wells into custody without any injury to Wells or themselves,” said Sheriff Rick Staly. “Our Deputies focus is to protect all lives. In this case, they deescalated a potentially deadly situation which is what they are trained to do.”
To view video of Wells’ arrest click here.
