BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. – A 47-year-old man faces multiple charges after Brevard County deputies said he ran from a traffic stop and later fired a gun during a foot pursuit on Saturday morning.
Deputies said they responded to a call in regards to a suspicious truck in the area of State Road 528 and North Banana River Drive in Merritt Island around 9:15 a.m.
According to a news release, responding deputies said the truck in question was unoccupied. While a deputy returned to their patrol vehicle to run the truck’s license plant information, a man later identified as Nickolaos Henke, got into the truck and started to drive away.
Deputies said they conducted a traffic stop and asked Henke for his identification, but he gave them a “false name.”
[EXCLUSIVE: Become a News 6 Insider (it’s FREE) | PINIT! Share your photos]
According to the release, while deputies were investigating the fake name he provided, Henke ran away and jumped into the Banana River.
Deputies said after Henke swam a short distance, he made his way back to shore and ran into a wooded area where he had a tent.
While trying to find Henke in the woods, deputies said they heard him call out “I have a gun” and then heard a gunshot.
According to the release, Henke was observed running with a firearm which he later dropped. He was arrested after deputies saw him run from the woods towards State Road 528.
Kim Ryan was on her morning walk through the park when she was told to evacuate.
“And I had had my earbuds in at the time and asked her [the deputy] what she said and she said we’re evacuating the park and there’s an active shooting and we’re clearing the park out,” Ryan said. “And then I noticed like all the parents picked up their kids out of the playground and left.”
Two deputies received minor injuries during the pursuit and were treated and released from a local hospital.
Deputies learned that Henke had an active warrant for a failure to appear for driving under the influence.
Henke faces charges of aggravated assault against law enforcement, driving while license suspended with knowledge 3rd or subsequent offense, discharging a firearm in public or residential property, resisting arrest without violence, improper exhibition of a dangerous weapon, and providing a false name to law enforcement.
At his first court appearance Sunday, Henke was given a bond amount of $16,000 and was instructed to not drive without a valid license and to not possess firearms, ammunition, or weapons. He was determined to be indigent, appointed a public defender, and is scheduled for arraignment on March 28, court records show.
Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily: