BSO: Arrest And Gun Seizure Originating From ShotSpotter In Broward County

ShotSpotter Alerts Deputies To Gunfire Near Fort Lauderdale. Incident Led To Arrest And Large Gun Seizure.

Seized Firearms, Image Courtesy Of Broward Sheriffs Office

BROWARD COUNTY, FL (Boca Post) — Broward Sheriff’s Office has said that an arrest and a large gun seizure was  made after the department’s ShotSpotter alerting software alerted authorities of gunfire in the area of 1200 NW 30th Avenue on New Years Eve at approximately 8:40PM.

ShotSpotter alerted BSO about the sound of what it interpreted as rapid gunfire. Deputies responded to the call and continued to hear the gunfire. Deputies quickly established a parameter around the location where the gunfire was heard. BSO utilized many resources including aviation and K-9 units to support their efforts.

Ultimately, the owner of the weapons, Willie Pickett, was safely apprehended and arrested. A search of the residence produced 13 firearms including what BSO is calling 2 short barrel rifles as well as hundreds of rounds of ammunition.

BSO credits ShotSpotter as an invaluable asset to the department as this is just another example where shots were fired but no one from the area called 911.

ShotSpotter is a software suite used by police departments to listen for gunshots and quickly triangulate the location and notify law enforcement. This process happens very fast.

According to the arrest affidavit, Central Broward / Crime Suppression Team of the Broward Sheriff’s Office searched the property and found two AR-15 style short barreled rifles as well as 9 other firearms. Both of the short barreled rifles are said to be shorter than 16″ which is the legal minimum length for a rifle barrel.

According to court records, Pickett is facing the following charges:

• 2 counts of Poss Weap Short Barreled (790.221)

From BSO:

A ShotSpotter alert in unincorporated Central Broward on New Year’s Eve led to the seizure of 13 firearms and one arrest.

Broward Sheriff’s Office deputies in the Central Broward District responded to a home in the 1200 block of Northwest 30th Avenue around 8:40 p.m. that Friday. Once at the residence, deputies heard a barrage of rapid gunfire and took cover. Shortly after, deputies heard another barrage of rounds. Deputies established a perimeter around the residence, called in Aviation and K-9 units for assistance, ordered the occupants of the home outside and secured a search warrant for the home.

Deputies searched the home along with investigators from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The search resulted in deputies seizing 13 firearms, including two short barrel rifles. Deputies also seized hundreds of rounds of ammunition.

“This case shows why ShotSpotter is such an invaluable investigative tool,” Broward Sheriff Gregory Tony said. “In this case, as in many others, no one in this neighborhood called 911 to report the gunfire. The ShotSpotter alert allowed deputies to respond to this scene quickly, understand the dangers involved and make an arrest, all while removing a significant number of weapons and ammunition from the streets.”

The owner of the weapons, Willie Pickett, was arrested on two counts of possession of a short barrel rifle.

No one was reported injured in the gunfire.