DeLand, FL - A three-hour standoff ends without injury and the arrest of 41-year-old Howard Coleman. Volusia County Sheriff's deputies responded to a call from a woman saying that her boyfriend had locked her out of her own home. When they arrived, they found the victim outside a Princeton Road residence in DeLand.
The victim told police she had left the home the previous evening in an effort to deescalate an argument between herself and Coleman. When she came back Sunday morning (September 15), he would not let her in. After a number of requests to be let inside, she contacted VCSO.
Despite the efforts of two deputies, Coleman would not let the victim in and he said he would not come out. Then, Coleman appeared in a window, put both hands behind his back and pulled out what the deputies identified as handguns. He pointed them at the deputies and that put his arms to his sides. Deputies pulled their weapons and commanded Coleman to come out of the house. He again refused.
Deputies took cover behind Miller's vehicle in the driveway. When Coleman yelled out that he could see them, they moved to a patrol car and called for backup. During this time, the deputies continued to command that Coleman come out. After a total of about three hours, Coleman finally complied.
Coleman is a convicted felon. He's now charged with two counts of aggravated assault with a firearm, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and domestic battery after it was learned he had hit his girlfriend in the chest with a cross. He's in the Volusia County Jail being held without bond.
