De-escalation incident: 4/10/24

On Wednesday night, deputies responded to a 911 call on Cross Branch Road, DeLand, where it was reported someone was holding an intruder at knifepoint. Through the information gathered on 911, deputies were able to determine the call was likely a mental health incident. Once on scene, deputies encountered a laser pointed in their direction. Initially, it was unclear whether the laser was attached to a weapon. The subject in the house did not believe the deputies were actually law enforcement officers, and appeared to be imagining that he was under attack. Deputies established a dialogue with the subject, eventually convincing him to put down the laser and pepper spray he was carrying. He was taken into protective custody without further incident.