BUNNELL, Fla. — On March 30, the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office Crisis Negotiation Team successfully de-escalated a critical incident involving a wanted suicidal man in the B-Section of Palm Coast after hours of negotiations.
Just after 10 a.m., the Flagler County Emergency Communications Center received a report that a man was violating a domestic violence no contact order and was parked outside a residence on Burning Ember Lane where the victim was staying.
A deputy responded and located the man, identified as Isaac Lewis, 22, of Palm Coast, in his vehicle outside the residence. When the deputy attempted to make contact, Lewis fled, nearly hitting the deputy, and fled the scene in his vehicle. Shortly after, Lewis returned to the residence, exited the vehicle, and held a handgun to his head, threatening to take his own life.
Deputies realized Lewis had not only committed a violent felony but was also experiencing a mental health crisis and immediately began talking with Lewis, while FCSO’s Crisis Negotiation and SWAT teams were responding to assist.
Once on scene, Deputy First Class Bryan Carter, a trained crisis negotiator, established contact with Lewis. During the negotiations, the two spoke for more than two hours — in-person, over the phone, and eventually on FaceTime — and established a rapport on numerous topics before Lewis’ phone battery died. To safely regain communication, the SWAT team deployed a robot to deliver Lewis a replacement phone.
Once communication was re-established, Deputy First Class Carter continued negotiations from inside the SWAT team’s BearCat armored vehicle, ensuring that he remained safe, but Lewis could still see him through the window as they talked.
During the incident, the Crisis Negotiation Team was supported by a range of technologies to enhance situational awareness and support de-escalation efforts and for the safety of all involved. Analysts and deputies in the Real Time Crime Center used live feeds from body cameras and drones to maintain a visual on Lewis and relay timely and accurate information to deputies on scene.
Just before 2 p.m., Lewis removed the magazine from the firearm, cleared the live round of ammunition in the chamber, and placed the weapon on the ground. Deputies then safely secured Lewis without further incident.
“Deputy First Class Carter, our Crisis Negotiation and SWAT teams, and our analysts in the Real Time Crime Center worked together to save a life today. I am incredibly proud of how they de-escalated and safely resolved a very dangerous armed situation,” said Sheriff Rick Staly. “These are very delicate situations, but our crisis negotiators, and really all our deputies, are well-trained in de-escalation and crisis intervention techniques. They were supported by what was truly a team effort. Our crisis negotiators, deputies, SWAT team, Real Time Crime Center, and 911 dispatchers all worked together to successfully defuse the situation and achieve the best possible outcome.”
Deputies arrested Lewis for resisting arrest without violence, aggravated stalking, and fleeing and eluding. He was first taken to a local hospital for medical clearance, where he was visited by Deputy First Class Carter and a member of FCSO’s Behavioral Response Unit. After being released from the hospital, he was transported to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility, where he is being held without bond and will be able to receive mental health treatment.
“We pride ourselves on having a detention facility that doesn’t just house inmates but actively works to improve their lives. We offer mental health treatment through a variety of programs and partnerships with organizations in our community, so our inmates can get the help they need,” Sheriff Staly added. “Although he was arrested, we hope he realizes that he essentially now has a second chance in life and uses the opportunities available in the jail to find support, move past this situation, and make the most of the rest of his life.”
Deputy First Class Carter joined FCSO in 2018 and has served the Crisis Negotiation Team since 2021. He is also assigned to the Motors Unit. Prior to joining FCSO, he served for seven years in the United States Marine Corps and was deployed to Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom.
