Who is William Banks Jr? Melbourne Florida Active Shooter Killed by Police

William J Banks Jr, the reported ‘active shooter’ in Melbourne, Florida has been killed following a shootout with police.

The Melbourne Police Department reported an “active shooter situation” in the area of Babcock & Strawbridge around 9 a.m. Wednesday.

Officers responded to the Pentagon Garden Apartments unit the suspect barricaded himself in and exchanged gunfire with the suspect, fatally wounding him.

Police said they received a 911 call around 8:30 a.m. from a concerned person about a suspicious individual at the complex near Babcock Street and Strawbridge Avenue.

It turns out the call was from the alleged shooter himself, according to Sgt. Ben Slover of the Melbourne Police Department. He reportedly called 911, threatening police, who responded by coming to the apartment for a wellness check.

When officers arrived at the scene, they were immediately met with gunfire from the suspect, police said, and officers were able to retreat uninjured.

Police initially did not return fire and took a defensive position, calling SWAT and crisis negotiation to attempt to resolve the situation.

The suspect at a point came out of the apartment and opened fire, at which point he was shot and killed.

The reason why the suspect holed himself up in the apartment and started to shoot at officers has not yet been determined.