ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla. – A pizza store worker was rescued and a person was arrested after a seven-hour police standoff in Altamonte Springs, police stated.

Neal Pittard, 49, was taken into custody and faces expenses of false imprisonment, aggravated assault with a lethal weapon and battery, Altamonte Springs police stated.

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The state of affairs began Monday night on the Hungry Howie’s on State Road 434, north of State Road 436.

Police stated the person’s spouse knowledgeable authorities that her husband was on the Hungry Howie’s and had made suicidal threats. Police stated Pittard additionally made a number of threats to hurt staff on the retailer, then let all however considered one of them go.

Witnesses informed police that Pittard had a gun with an orange tip.

A Seminole County Sheriff’s Office SWAT crew was deployed, in addition to negotiators, to get Pittard to face down. Other businesses additionally assisted.

Around 1 a.m. Tuesday, police activated their sirens and several other loud bangs rang out whereas smoke stuffed the air exterior the store.

A swarm of SWAT crew officers escorted Pittard out of the constructing on a stretcher and loaded him into an ambulance.

The worker held hostage contained in the constructing was not harmed, police say.

Businesses within the surrounding space had been evacuated when the standoff unfolded.

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