Man accused of killing wife in custody after 3-hours SWAT standoff, authorities say
VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. - A homicide suspect was taken into custody after an hours-long SWAT standoff in Deltona, the Volusia County Sheriff's Office reported.
The suspect is accused of shooting and killing his wife in Altamonte Springs, police said.
Hours-long SWAT standoff in car
What we know:
The standoff occurred in the area of SR 415 and Howland Boulevard on Aug. 23 as deputies said the man – identified as John Schmalz-Riedt, 65 – sat in his truck with a gun.
After utilizing multiple resources including patrol, dispatch, investigations, SWAT, Bearcat, Rook, Air One, drone, K-9, negotiators, and VC3, VSO SWAT took Schmalz-Riedt into custody just after 8:30 p.m. – after three hours of negotiations, the sheriff's office said.
The incident prompted an area roadblock for hours.
No injuries were reported in the standoff.
Standoff subject tied to homicide case
The sheriff's office confirmed that Schmalz-Riedt was tied to a homicide investigation, as Altamonte Springs police later confirmed that John Schmalz-Riedt was identified as a person of interest in the shooting death of his wife. She was found unresponsive and suffering from a gunshot wound in a home on Conrad Court at 3:15 p.m. earlier the same day.
Crews provided medical aid, but she died at the scene, Altamonte Police said.
List of charges
Schmalz-Riedt is being charged with second-degree murder and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He was taken to the Volusia Jail following the incident.
John Schmalz-Riedt, 65, faces multiple charges. (Credit: Volusia County Corrections)
What you can do:
Anyone with information on the shooting is asked to call ASPD at 407-339-2441 or place an anonymous tip to Crimeline at 800-423-TIPS
(8477).
The Source: Information in this article was provided by the Volusia Sheriff's Office.