MCSO RECOVERS RIFLE, AMMUNITION, 24-YEAR OLD SUSPECT HAD WHEN HE THREATENED TO KILL DEPUTIES

Martin County Sheriff’s Detectives retrieved the hunting rifle inside the bedroom of a 24-year old man who threatened to shoot deputies during a SWAT stand-off last night.

Detectives located the weapon after taking 24-year old Jonathan Knapp into custody. The .30-30 high powered rifle could have easily wounded or killed a number of people had the situation escalated to that level.

Deputies were called to the Monterrey Yacht and Country Club, located at 1909 SW Palm City Road, just before 5pm. The subject, 24-year old Jonathan Knapp Jr., barricaded himself in his father’s condo following a family dispute. His father told deputies he was armed. When deputies arrived, Knapp refused to let them in, and told deputies he would begin killing them with the high powered rifle he had inside the home. Deputies could hear Knapp loading the rifle.

RECOVERS RIFLE, AMMUNITION

The Martin County Sheriff’s SWAT Team was called in, while deputies began securing other residents in the heavily populated condominium complex. The SWAT Team strategically placed the Sheriff’s BearCat in front of the two story condominium to provide, light, communications, and cover for the SWAT team as they began to communicate with Knapp. After two hours of negotiations by our MCSO Hostage Negotiators, Knapp continued his threats to shoot and kill the deputies. The SWAT Team made entry into the condo, then fired less lethal gas through the walls and into the bedroom where Knapp was situated. Shortly afterwards, the SWAT Team forced Knapp out of the room, and out of the condo, without injury. He was immediately taken into custody, and transported to the Martin County Jail.