August 21, 2020
By: Staff Report
BROOKSVILLE, Fla. – On Wednesday Hernando County Sheriff’s deputies responded to 15301 Peach Orchard Road in Brooksville to serve civil process (Injunction for Protection).
During the process, deputies were met with resistance. The suspect, Michael Snyder, barricaded himself inside the structure, refusing to open the door.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, “Deputies established and maintained a dialogue with the male in an attempt to get him to open the door. He refused.”
Around 1 PM, while still inside the structure, Snyder began firing shots at the deputies who were still outside. Deputies returned fire and retreated to safer positions.
The SWAT and Crisis Response teams, along with a drone pilot, were called to the scene.
Upon arrival, the drone pilot deployed a drone into the structure. Once inside, the drone pilot identified Snyder to be slumped over in a chair. Entry was then made into the structure, and it was determined that Snyder was deceased.
On Friday, an autopsy was performed on Snyder. The autopsy revealed Snyder died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
“Snyder was not struck by deputies’ gunfire,” according to HCSO.