Suicide suspect released from hospital, now faces charges

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Suicide suspect released from hospital, now faces charges

Ocala police today arrested a reported suicidal suspect who on July 19 barricaded himself in a Lecanto home.

The Sheriff’s Office said today that Salazar has been charged with aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer. After being discharged from a Marion County hospital earlier today, Salazar was arrested by the Ocala Police Department on those charges.

The Citrus County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) also said that the man, later identified as Salvador Salazar, 35, ended up being shot during a standoff with deputies. Later, four deputies were put on paid administrative leave during a law enforcement investigation.

More information regarding the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s (FDLE) ongoing investigation into the incident will be provided as it becomes available for release. It is standard protocol for FDLE to investigate any and all incidents of a deputy involved shooting.

On July 19, County Sheriff’s Patrol Deputies responded to 1245 West High Acres St. in Lecanto in response to a report of an armed, suicidal subject.

Upon arrival, the CCSO said, deputies gave the Salazar verbal commands to drop his weapon. After he failed to comply with these orders and presented a threat to deputies, the deputies attempted to neutralize the threat according to the tactics taught during their extensive training.

The Citrus County Sheriff’s Office said today it would like to encourage anyone struggling with suicidal thoughts to contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.