Man Armed with AR-15 Shoots at Florida Keys Sheriff’s Vehicles

MARATHON, Fla. — A man armed with an AR-15 assault rifle fired at three Monroe County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) vehicles in Marathon on Thursday night before apparently taking his own life, authorities said. No deputies or members of the public were injured in the incident.

The man has been identified as 53-year-old Duane Clayton Day of Marathon.

“It appears this suspect took his own life before he could injure law enforcement officers or members of the public,” said Sheriff Rick Ramsay, adding that Day was found with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head and that he was recently divorced and also lost his job.

The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office responded to an apartment complex on Sombrero Boulevard at approximately 10 p.m. after reports of a man throwing objects from the roof.

As deputies approached the building, they heard gunshots. The deputies were outside their vehicles when the gunman began shooting at the vehicles.

A perimeter was established, and the MCSO SWAT Team, along with officers from the Florida Highway Patrol, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, responded to the scene. Nearby roads were closed to ensure public safety.

Two helicopters from the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office, one carrying a law enforcement sniper, assisted in the response. One helicopter observed the suspect motionless on the roof.

The SWAT Team then approached and confirmed the man had died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Detectives were still working to identify the suspect as of early Friday morning, and the investigation remains ongoing.

“I am relieved no Deputies or members of the public were harmed during this incident,” said Sheriff Ramsay.

“I want to thank the brave Deputies and Officers who responded and ran toward danger to ensure our community’s safety.”

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