A 23-year-old man who was walking around with a firearm and threatening to commit suicide died Tuesday after getting into a standoff with police in Daytona Beach, officials said.

  • Man, 23, was threatening suicide in Daytona Beach
  • Daytona Beach Police responded to the scene
  • Man reportedly pointed gun at police officer
  • It's unclear whose bullet killed the man

The scene was near the 500 block of Bellevue Avenue. The incident began earlier in the day when the man, identified as Shakyri Willis, was taken to the hospital by his sister. He was discharged around 11 a.m., and he got a gun shortly after arriving home.

People who live in the area called 911 at about noon after seeing Willis walking around with a gun and threatening to kill himself. An officer arrived at the scene, and the man was pointing the gun at his own head and his own neck, according to Daytona Beach Police Chief Craig Capri.

Capri said the man's sister was pleading with him not to shoot himself, but the man then reportedly pointed the gun at the responding officer. The officer fired four to five shots from 15-20 yards, but Capri said it's unclear whose bullet struck Willis.

Responding officers attempted to render aid, but Willis was pronounced dead at the scene. 

"It's a tragedy here," Capri said. "There's no winners today. It's a tragedy, and we need to heal." 

Capri said Willis wasn't really known to law enforcement. Willis' family reportedly told investigators that the man had taken some type of drugs about two weeks ago and had been acting "erratically" since. He had been to the hospital at least twice as he battled some sort of issue since the drugs, Capri said.

"I appreciate the transparency of the department and their efforts to do things the right way," Daytona Beach Mayor Derrick Henry said during a news conference. "We must remain calm and remain united as a city. That's why I'm here."

An autopsy is expected to be performed in the next day or two, and Capri said body-camera footage from the shooting is expected to be released on Thursday.

The police officer who fired the shots was placed on paid leave during the investigation, which is standard procedure. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement will investigate the officer-involved shooting.