Chaos erupted in a serene Weston neighborhood Sunday morning when a domestic incident turned into a standoff and subsequent shooting involving a man who had barricaded himself inside a home with children, authorities confirmed. The Broward Sheriff's Office (BSO) deputies arrived at the 16000 block of Opal Creek Drive in response to an earlier incident in Hollywood.
A tense situation unfolded as 48-year-old Valdemar Milto holed up in the residence, allegedly armed. Negotiators and BSO's SWAT team were dispatched to defuse the situation as concerned neighbors looked on. According to WSVN, Milto eventually emerged from the home, still clutching his weapon, and entered a white SUV in the driveway.
Footage obtained by a resident shows the crucial moments. "Sir, your daughters are out here. If you want to speak to them, you need to come out of the car with your hands up and leave the gun in the car," a negotiator is heard pleading in the video. Driven to a breaking point, an armed confrontation ensued, leading deputies to fire their weapons. Milto, injured in the altercation, crashed into a tree and attempted to flee but was rapidly detained by law enforcement.
While the man careened into the BSO vehicle and drove off, neighbors recounted hearing multiple gunshots ringing through the area. The aftermath of gunshots was also described by witnesses who spoke to Local 10 News. In the disarray, EMTs and air rescue services responded, transporting Milto for medical treatment for the gunshot wounds he sustained.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement has taken the helm in investigating the officer-involved shooting. The two BSO deputies have been placed on administrative assignment amid the ongoing inquiry. Officials relayed a sigh of relief as the two children involved were reported unharmed in the harrowing incident. Specific details concerning Milto's condition and the extent of his injuries remain unclear.
