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BRADY DENNISA neighborhood, including 300 students at a school, is evacuated after a man threatens to set himself on fire.
TAMPA - A 61-year-old man doused himself in gasoline and threatened to set himself on fire early Thursday morning, leading to a four-hour standoff with Tampa police.
Authorities said Alejo Danilo Ramos, of 2618 Clark St., had been having marital problems and called a friend about 6:30 a.m., threatening suicide.
Police evacuated nearly 300 children and teachers who were arriving for the last day of school at nearby DeSoto Elementary School. About 20 neighbors also were evacuated, said Tampa police spokesman Capt. Bob Guidara.
"They wouldn't even tell us what was going on," said Summer Earns, 22, who lives across the street from Ramos. "It's a real quiet neighborhood. He's a nice person. We've never had a problem."
The incident left Earns and several others stuck on a nearby street corner, late for work. She offered SWAT team members free barbecue at Sonny's, where she works, if only they would end the standoff and let her back inside her home.
Ryan McKay wanted to get back inside long enough to put on a shirt and get to his job at Foot Locker. He stood shirtless on the sidewalk, chatting into a cell phone, as he looked down the street at an armored vehicle.
"They got that tank a foot from my car," he said to the person on the other end. "If they scratch it, they're paying."
As the morning wore on, Tampa Fire Rescue workers trucked in cases of water and Gatorade for emergency workers. Tampa Electric Co. officials shut off gas and power to the house.
Ramos lit several "small fires" in his home but made no demands during the standoff, other than asking for a sandwich and water, Guidara said.
As police were delivering his lunch, they made their move.
About 11:15 a.m., they stormed the home and shot Ramos with a bean bag rifle intended to stun but not seriously hurt suspects. He sustained only minor injuries, and no police officers were injured.
Officers took him into custody under the state's Baker Act. Ramos also faces a charge of arson.
State records show Ramos has no prior criminal history in Florida.