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Melbourne Police identify William Banks as ‘active shooter’ in apartment complex – WFTV

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MELBOURNE, Fla. — Police told WFTV Tonight they were called to the complex on New Haven Road to check on the welfare of one of the residents. When they knocked on the door, he shot at them through the front door.

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“After a period of time, a shot was fired and at some point the suspect came out, fired and attacked our officers, who then shot the suspect,” said Melbourne Police Chief David Gillespie.

Police said that as the two officers took cover, two more officers arrived at the scene as backup and William Banks began firing more shots from his window.

Read: Police identify man who shot at them in Melbourne apartment complex

“It’s really crazy because I live just two blocks from here, so it’s like insane to see something like this, you know, crazy,” said one Melbourne resident.

Police Chief Gillespie said officers attempted to negotiate with Banks by telephone.

When he came out of the apartment with a gun, Gillespie said officers from at least two different agencies were forced to shoot Banks in that third-floor alleyway.

Read: Police arrest Central Florida man accused of killing Leesburg store owner

Police said officers attempted to provide medical attention to Banks, but he succumbed to his injuries.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement has taken over the investigation, which is standard protocol in any police-involved shooting.

Gillespie said no officers were injured in the shooting.

Read: Former onePULSE CEO outlines ‘failures’ in memo months before dissolution

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