VCSO: 56-year-old man barricaded himself in Port Orange home after being evicted by parents

Deputies say man in custody after standoff

A 56-year-old man who barricaded himself inside a Port Orange home and allegedly pointed a weapon at deputies, leading to an hourslong standoff Thursday afternoon, is in custody, according to the Volusia County Sheriff's Office.

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. - An hours-long standoff between Volusia County sheriff's deputies and a 56-year-old man barricaded inside a Port Orange home came to an end around 3:30 p.m. on Thursday. Authorities took the suspect, Curtis LaPiere Jr., into custody.

It all started around 10:30 a.m. when a deputy arrived at the home on Southfork Court to issue an eviction notice to LaPiere that was requested by his parents. Deputies said they found LaPiere on the second floor in a bedroom.

"He looks into the bedroom and sees a pair of feet and something doesn’t seem right to the deputy, so he peers around the wall, and he’s laying up against the wall pointing a 9 mm at the deputy," said Sheriff Mike Chitwood.

Deputies immediately fell back and set up a perimeter around the home. Port Orange police asked people nearby to stay inside their homes until the scene was secured.

"I know he’s armed because he told us he was armed. He said you’re going to have to come and get me, and I’m going to hurt you if you come in," said Chitwood.

Deputies locked down the neighborhood for over four hours as they negotiated with LaPiere. Things came to an end when two loud pops could be heard. Deputies blew the door down and tossed a gas grenade inside forcing LaPiere out of the home with his hands in the air.

"He came out with his 9 mm still strapped to his hip," said Chitwood.

Deputies had their full arsenal out including the sheriff's office helicopter Air One, drones, and armored vehicles, but they also had a mental health worker there to help with negotiations. LaPiere’s parents said he has a history of mental health problems

"It was nice to have that resource there, from Stewart-Marchman, to be there to talk to him because there were times when he gets really manic and aggressive during negotiations, so it’s really a big help having them here with us," said Chitwood.

Chitwood said the mental health worker helped them during the negotiations to help understand possible triggers and certain questions to ask to understand his state of mind. Thankfully no one was hurt during