WATCH: Melbourne police identify dead active shooter after man fires over a dozen shots at officers

Police identify dead shooter as 47-year-old William J. Banks Jr. of Melbourne

VIDEO ABOVE: Melbourne Police Commissioner David Gillespie briefed reporters on the Melbourne shooting situation. The suspect was shot and the “threat has been neutralized,” he said.

VIDEO ABOVE: On Wednesday morning, Melbourne Police and SWAT teams were called to a shooting in the area between Babcock Street and Strawbridge Avenue.

BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA – Melbourne Police and SWAT teams were called to a shooting in the area of ​​Babcock Street and Strawbridge Avenue on Wednesday morning, which left the barricaded man who fired shots at Melbourne Police dead.

A Melbourne police spokesman identified the dead shooter as 47-year-old William J. Banks Jr. of Melbourne.

“They (the officers) didn’t have a chance to knock on the door. So we were very lucky this time too,” said Melbourne Police Chief David Gillespie.

According to eyewitnesses, over a dozen shots were heard in the area. None of the officers were injured.

At around 10:40 a.m., police announced that the incident was under control but that investigations were still ongoing.

“At approximately 7:56 a.m., Melbourne Police received a call from a man in the Pentagon Apartment Complex,” said MPD Sgt. Ben Slover.

“Officers were dispatched to the scene to check on the man’s welfare. When two officers arrived, they knocked on the front door and the man began firing at the officers through the front door. While the officers took cover, two more officers arrived at the scene and the man fired additional shots out a window at those officers.”

The area was immediately cordoned off and officers from multiple agencies responded.

“SWAT teams and crisis negotiators responded and attempted to contact the man by phone as he emerged from the front door armed,” said Sergeant Slover. “Officers fired and the man collapsed to the ground.”

Officers attempted to provide him medical attention, but he succumbed to his injuries.

The officers involved in the incident were placed on administrative assignment per standard protocol. In addition, agents from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement responded to investigate the officer-involved shooting.

Anyone with information is asked to call Melbourne Police at 321-608-6731 or the Central Florida Crimeline at 800-423-TIPS.