Man told Melbourne police ‘I declare war’ against US before deadly standoff at apartment

A 47-year-old man who was shot and killed after firing on police officers several times had called the Melbourne police department hours before declaring that he was at "war," records show.

William J. Banks Jr., who police said holed up in his Pentagon Apartments residence June 26, had confronted Melbourne officers who pulled into the complex off U.S. 192 near Babcock Street following the 7:56 a.m. call to 911 dispatchers.

“This is not really an emergency, this is me … stating I declare war against the United States of America,” Banks said, listing a host of grievances, from pedophilia to unspecified government corruption.

“The veterans, the homeless, the immigration … I’m done, I’ve had (it) with you all. This is it, I’m making my stand right here. I do this for all Americans, every voiceless, every child that’s been missing. You can find me ... come get it,” he said before hanging up.

Banks was armed with a handgun and a shotgun, police dispatch records show.

Melbourne police have released few details about a direct motive, or made any comments on Banks’ mental health or background. Banks had previously lived in Indian River County but had no criminal record in either Brevard or Indian River, documents show.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is reviewing the officer-related shooting — the third to take place in Brevard this year — and will have two months before turning over its findings to the state attorney’s office.

Police officer: 'Shots fired!'

The shooting left residents rattled as police used reverse 911 to tell those in the complex, businesses and at a nearby school to shelter in place as SWAT team members and an armored vehicle rolled into the area.

The shooting unfolded a short time after the 911 call as Melbourne officers arrived at apartment E, where Banks resided, to do a welfare check.

Gunfire erputed when the officers knocked on the front door, police reported.

The officers scrambled for cover as two additional officers arrived on the scene. Banks, clutching a gun in his left hand, was then seen firing additional rounds out of a window toward the police officers.

Two officers were slightly injured by shrapnel caused by the gunfire, records show.

By 8:55 a.m., a reverse 911 call went out to residents advising them to keep apartment doors locked, with officers staging at the nearby Holy Trinity school, records show.

Tactical team members armed with rifles along with crisis negotiators arrived a short time later in a bid to communicate with Banks. Banks could be seen looking through the screen door as SWAT team members positioned themselves on the northside and around the three-story building, reports show.

Then at 10:06 a.m., Banks came to the door for a final time.

“Shots fired!,” Officer Chelsea Johnson shouted.

Officers then fired on Banks, who fell to his knees on the banister with multiple gunshot wounds. A medical team was called to the shooting site, where Banks was pronounced dead, records show.

The body was transported to the medical examiner’s office for further examination.

More: Melbourne police: Barricaded gunman who fired on police is dead

2 shootings in less than 3 days

Eight law enforcement agents — including six from the Melbourne police department, one from Palm Bay and another from the Brevard County sheriff’s office — fired their weapons as Banks stepped out of the apartment with his weapon. The Melbourne and Palm Bay officers were placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of FDLE’s investigation. It was not immediately known if the sheriff’s office placed its deputy on administrative leave.

The state attorney’s office will make a final determination about the use of deadly force in the case.

Wednesday’s deadly officer-involved shooting was the second to take place in less than three days.

On Friday, officers shot and killed an armed 40-year-old man who investigators said wanted to gain access through a secured gate and board a nearby aircraft.

Melbourne Airport police officers confronted the man, who was holding a firearm, and fired several shots. The man, identified as John Jay Neibuhr, was pronounced dead at the scene. Neibuhr had claimed to be part of an anti-government, sovereign citizens’ movement.

Agents with FDLE are investigating that shooting.

J.D. Gallop is a criminal justice/breaking news reporter at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Gallop at 321-917-4641 or jgallop@floridatoday.com. Or X, formerly known as Twitter: @JDGallop.

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: 'I'm making my stand': Melbourne man called 911 before deadly shootout