BELLE ISLE, Fla. – A SWAT team found a man dead inside a Belle Isle home Wednesday morning after he exchanged gunfire with deputies conducting a narcotics investigation, according to officials.
Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings said that deputies with the narcotics unit were at the home on the 5300 block of Hawford Circle when investigating "the delivery of a parcel," which contained cannabis.
Deputies said Harrison Carter, 30, attempted to retrieve the package and was approached by deputies. The agents identified themselves as Orange County deputies, and Carter then pointed a firearm at the deputies.
An agent fired at Carter in self-defense, according to deputies. Carter then fired several rounds at the deputies and went into his home and barricaded himself.
Demings said that the SWAT team was involved after the shooting because they believed the suspect was barricaded in his home, but he had apparently died inside.
Demings said that the SWAT later entered the home and found the man dead. It's not yet known if he died from deputy gunfire or a self-inflicted gunshot wound, but deputies said he was found with a weapon.
The agents, who have been with OCSO for 24 years and the other for 19 years, were not hit.
Deputies said the home was under surveillance by the narcotics unit for a period of time.
Several roadways were closed in the area of Hoffner Avenue and South Conway Road and the neighborhood was placed on lockdown. Deputies said they evacuated at least five homes around the home under investigation.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement will conduct a deputy-involved shooting investigation and deputies will be reassigned to administrative duties for a minimum of a week.
Belle Isle borders the southeast edge of Orlando.