New details emerge after hourslong Port Charlotte barricaded standoff on Starlite Lane

Residents of a Port Charlotte neighborhood were ordered to shelter in place for hours as deputies worked to apprehend a man who had barricaded himself inside his home after reportedly discharging a firearm in his front yard Friday night.

Todd Mullins, a resident of Starlite Lane, said he returned home from work to find the road blocked off and law enforcement concentrated in the area.

"The road was blocked off, and they were all concentrated and below Starlite, and I saw a bunch of cops walking around with guns, and they told us to stay in shelter," Mullins said.

Mullins said he sheltered in place for at least six hours and recalled hearing gunshots before deputies arrived.

"I did hear some gunshots, like, around before all the police came, I heard a couple bangs, I thought it was like firecrackers or something, but I guess it was something more serious," he said.

Video from the standoff shows deputies forcing their way into the home of Travis Price, the man accused of firing the gun. Deputies said neighbors reported Price firing a gun in his front yard.

Thomas Kent, a friend of Price, said he witnessed the incident and described what he had been told about the gunfire.

"He had shot into the ground from what I've been told, about 7 to 10 times, straight down next to his feet, not towards anybody or anything. He had a gun and a beer in his hand; he was very upset that day for some reason," Kent said.

Deputies said Price barricaded himself inside his home and refused to come outside. Just after 9 p.m., crews on the scene saw deputies fire four shots at him, though they have not confirmed whether the rounds were lethal or non-lethal.

"I watched them shoot the rubber rounds, and he dropped, and he was in his doorway when they opened this door," Kent said.

Medics transported Price from the scene in an ambulance.

"He's been a great guy for ten years or more that I've known him; I've never seen him like this or any problems, so it's a very odd thing," Kent said.

Charlotte County deputies said Price committed multiple misdemeanor violations and is now in custody. He faces charges of possession of a firearm or ammunition while subject to an injunction and discharging a firearm in public.

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