By MES Dispatch staff
The Briefing
- • Cocoa Police Department officers in Florida released body-worn camera footage showing the arrest of a man wanted in multiple shootings.
- • Officers located a white van tied to two fatal shootings in South Florida and an attempted murder case in Brevard County before engaging the suspect.
- • The 36-year-old suspect fled on foot and resisted orders to comply during the attempted arrest Feb. 20.
- • Officers used Tasers and a K-9 unit to subdue and take the suspect into custody.
- • Authorities said the suspect knew the victims; motive in the shootings has not been determined.
COCOA, Fla. — Body-worn camera footage shows Cocoa Police officers engaging in a violent struggle with a suspect wanted in several shootings before ultimately taking him into custody on Feb. 20.
Police located a white van believed linked to two fatal shootings in North Miami and Miami Gardens along with an attempted murder case in Brevard County. When officers located the vehicle in Cocoa, the driver — identified as 36-year-old Dennard Isiah Barnes — fled on foot toward a nearby residence.
Body camera video released by authorities shows officers commanding Barnes to the ground, but he refused to comply and resisted arrest. Officers deployed Tasers and a K-9 unit before subduing the suspect and placing him into custody.
Barnes was wanted in connection with the earlier shooting incidents, and police said he was familiar with the victims involved, though officials have not released details about the motive behind the violence.
The footage captures the chaotic encounter, including the tactical efforts by Cocoa officers to gain compliance and safely restrain the suspect amid the violent struggle.
Investigators continue to review the case and coordinate with agencies involved in the shootings across jurisdictions.