De-Escalation Skills End FCSO Stand-Off

Bunnell, FL – A stand-off was the result of Flagler County Sheriff’s (FCSO) deputies stopping the vehicle of a convicted felon with four active felony warrants yesterday (May 12) afternoon. They found 27-year-old Joshua Seidel traveling southbound on US 1 in Bunnell around 3 p.m. Video of the chase, the negotiations, and the arrest can be seen by clicking here. Deputies attempted to stop-stick the vehicle but Seidel was able to avoid them.  He eventually came to a stop on US 1 just south of Old Cemetery Road because he ran out of gas. Siedel was believed to be armed and told deputies he had a gun. A perimeter was established around Seidel’s vehicle with his car pinned in place with twoarmored SWAT vehicles. Seidel refused to get out and began making suicidal comments through the open driver’s side window. North and southbound traffic was diverted for about two hours as the FCSO Crisis Negotiating Team spoke with Seidel.  He told crisis negotiators that he had a gun and he was going to kill himself or he was going to get deputies to kill him. Siedel surrendered peacefully and was taken into custody. “This was a dangerous situation and our team immediately put their de-escalation skills to work to talk this guy out of his car and keeping the community safe,” Sheriff Staly said. “I’m very proud of our SWAT team, our Emergency Response team, our Crisis Negotiating team, patrol deputies, and our partners with the Bunnell Police Department for doing a phenomenal job talking this felon into surrendering before anyone could get hurt. Finally, if you plan to run from law enforcement make sure your car has gas!” A search of Seidel’s car found a plastic replica gun on the floorboard. Because of his suicidal statements, Seidel was Baker Acted. Siedel is charged with Fleeing and Eluding Law Enforcement, Resisting Arrest, and Driving without a License. He was additionally arrested for his active warrants for Sending Written Threats to Kill, Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, Dealing in Stolen Property, Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor, and Violation of Injunction. He’s being held without bond at the Flagler County Jail.