House Fire Erupts At Scene Of Hollywood Police Standoff

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HOLLYWOOD (CBSMiami) - Thick black smoke billowed over 62nd Ave. just North of Taft Street in Hollywood Wednesday morning where an hours-long police standoff ended with a barricaded subject setting his home on fire and shooting it out with cops.

The drama began about 2 a.m. when a man called a TV station and said something "big" was going to happen on his street. Police arrived to shots coming from the home, and then began a marathon, peppered with gunfire.

"The subject was firing weapons from inside and outside the residence, endangering the lives of others," said Miranda Grossman a spokesperson for the Hollywood Police Department.

With hot lead flying, police went door to door evacuating ing surrounding homes.

"The cops banged on my door. They came in instructing everybody, you guys got five minutes to leave the house immediately. We got out of the house and there was cops everywhere," said neighbor Alain Reinaldo.

Eventually, the man who had dodged in and out of the home firing off rounds, set the house on fire, coming out to confront an army of cops.

"The subject then exited the home with a firearm and confronted officers. Officers were then forced to fire. The subject subsequently died on the scene, "Grossman said.

Neighbors described the shooter as a middle-aged military veteran who apparently suffered mental issues. They said police had been to the home before.

Public records show the house is owned by 52-year-old man Lou Freycinet, and indicate that he apparently lived in the home alone.

Public records indicate possible associates and relatives live out of town or out of state.