Police Sgt. Exchanges Gunfire With Man In Melbourne

MELBOURNE, Florida -- A Melbourne Police officer exchanged gunfire with a suspect this morning while investigating a suspicious person near an abandoned home. 

Just before 1 a.m. on Tuesday, Melbourne Police Sgt. Brian Wical was patrolling the area of 824 Juanita Circle when he observed a person near the rear of the boarded-up residence.  Sgt. Wical then stopped his vehicle and walked up to the home to investigate. 

As he approached the residence, Sgt. Wical saw a man holding a handgun.  Sgt. Wical yelled at the man who in turn raised the firearm and fired it at the officer.  Sgt. Wical then exchanged gun fire with the suspect. 

The man then ran towards the rear of the home and began to scale a wall that separates the residence from an apartment complex.  Sgt. Wical tried to grab the suspect to stop him but the suspect was able to get over the wall and flee. Sgt. Wical was not injured.  It is unknown if the suspect was injured.

The suspect is described as a black male, in his late teens to early 20s, wearing camouflage shorts and having close-cropped hair.  Sgt. Wical is an 11-year veteran with the Melbourne Police Department.

The case remains under investigation. 

Anyone with information that can help identify this suspect is asked to call Central Florida CRIMELINE at 1-800-423-TIPS (8477). 

If you have any information please call Crimeline: 1-800-423-TIPS (8477)