ORANGE PARK, Fla. – Part of an Orange Park apartment complex was evacuated four about three hours Friday morning after deputies attempting to serve civil papers heard a gunshot coming from the unit, according to the Clay County Sheriff's Office.
Deputies said they didn't believe anyone left the apartment after the 9:30 a.m. incident and had no communication with anyone inside. After deploying the SWAT team, deputies forced entry into the apartment and found the occupant dead of of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Residents asked to leave The Parkland at Orange Park Apartments, off Wells Road near Blanding Boulevard, were asked to be patient while deputies assess the situation to assure their safety.
"They told us we couldn't get in ... just stay back," resident Shera Gore said. "It is scary. Especially, you know, around here where we live."
One resident estimated 70 police cars and could hear deputies using a bullhorn to try and communicate with the person inside before they learned the person inside was dead.
About 12:45 p.m., SWAT pulled and and everyone was allowed to return to their apartments.
"Detectives will be on scene for quite a while, but residents can safely return home," Clay County Sheriff's Office tweeted. "Thank you for the cooperation, as we must take every measure to protect our community."