UPDATE: NEW DETAILS: DNA Warrant Led Police Into Boca Before 100-MPH Chase and Gunfire in Delray
DELRAY BEACH, FL (Boca Post) (Copyright © 2026) — A Delray Beach man was arrested Thursday after police said he barricaded himself inside a home in the 4200 block of Palm Forest Drive South and fired multiple gunshots in the direction of officers as a SWAT team served warrants.
Delray Beach Police Department officers and the department’s SWAT Team responded to the neighborhood Thursday morning to serve an arrest warrant, a search warrant, and a DNA warrant at the home of Evan Berkowitz, 56, police said.
Police said Berkowitz refused to come out and barricaded himself inside the residence. SWAT officers set up a secure perimeter around the home and began efforts to negotiate with him.
During the standoff, Berkowitz fired multiple gunshots from inside the residence, police said. The shots were fired intermittently and were directed toward officers on scene, according to the police department.
By Thursday afternoon, Delray Beach Police said the SWAT Team moved to end the standoff by using a tactical vehicle to breach the residence in an effort to reach a safe resolution.
During that operation, Berkowitz fired additional rounds at the tactical vehicle, police said, before surrendering. He was taken into custody and arrested without injuries to officers, residents, or the public, the police department said.
“Despite being fired upon, our officers showed tremendous restraint, and discipline before safely taking the subject into custody,” Delray Beach Police Chief Darrell Hunter said. “Their actions reflect the training, composure, and courage required to resolve a dangerous situation while protecting lives.”
Police said Berkowitz was already wanted on charges tied to an attempted traffic stop last week. He is charged with aggravated fleeing and eluding and reckless driving related to that incident, police said.
Delray Beach Police said Berkowitz will face additional charges stemming from Thursday’s standoff and shooting incident. The department did not release the additional charges Thursday in the information provided.
The police department said Boca Raton Police Department, the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, and Boynton Beach Police Department assisted during the incident.
For residents in the area, the department’s account indicates the standoff involved a secured perimeter and tactical response in a residential neighborhood, with police emphasizing that no bystanders were injured and the suspect was taken into custody after surrendering.
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