A Florida man is in custody after an hours-long standoff with law enforcement, during which he barricaded himself inside his home and made threats with a firearm.
The Lee County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) reported that 39-year-old Weston Allen Gardner of Fort Myers was arrested on March 21, 2025, after a domestic disturbance call escalated into a barricade situation.
At approximately 9:10 p.m., LCSO 5th Precinct deputies responded to a home on the 2000 block of Gorthan Avenue in Fort Myers regarding a domestic dispute. Upon arrival, deputies learned that Gardner had allegedly threatened the complainant with a firearm, stating he would shoot her and himself before barricading himself in a bedroom.
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Deputies immediately evacuated the other residents from the home. Gardner refused to comply with deputies’ commands to exit the residence, prompting the deployment of the LCSO Special Operations Unit and Crisis Negotiations Team.
Negotiators spent several hours attempting to communicate with Gardner. He eventually exited the home without incident and was taken into custody.
A subsequent search warrant, executed by 5th Precinct Crime Section Detectives, resulted in the seizure of a Glock 19 handgun, multiple rounds of ammunition, and a holster.
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Gardner was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, and obstruction without violence.
“I’m grateful for the teamwork used by all, to include response from Patrol, our Special Operations Unit, Crisis Negotiations Team, and Electronic Surveillance Unit in safely removing the suspect from inside the home before he was able to hurt himself or others,” stated Sheriff Carmine Marceno. “LCSO will continue to utilize all resources necessary to ensure the safety of our great residents!”
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