Man making suicidal threats dies in parking lot incident

Scene at Home Depot in Ocala on June 3, during which a man died after firing a weapon at Ocala Police Department officers, according to officials. Photo courtesy Ocala Police Department.

A 41-year-old man was fatally shot the morning of June 3 after he fired on Ocala Police Department (OPD) officers who responded to the parking lot of a big box retail store following a report he was making suicidal threats.

OPD has identified the deceased as Robert Francisco Gonzalez, 41.

The press release states that OPD received a call at 8:53 a.m. from Gonzalez’s mother, who was concerned he was making “suicidal threats.” She gave officials his description, location and type of vehicle.

Officers responded to the parking lot of the Home Depot store at 3300 SW 35^th Terrace, near Interstate 75 in Ocala. Officers approached the vehicle on foot, made contact and “spoke with (Gonzalez) and attempted to de-escalate the situation, but ultimately the subject presented a handgun and fired. Officers returned fire and fatally struck (Gonzalez),” the press release stated.

No officers were injured.

According to OPD officials on Sunday, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement has taken over the investigation.