A person barricaded themselves and held two children hostage in a remote community in Florida.
The Highlands County Sheriff’s Office said Tuesday that the situation had been ongoing since midnight.
Authorities did not release information on the exact location but mentioned that it was in Venus, a community in southeastern Highlands County.
However, Allison Booth, a community transit employee, told Dailymail.com that SWAT vehicles had been spotted on Earnhardt Drive.
Brook Shaffer, who is local to the area, said a man had barricaded himself in a home with children near the intersection of Earnhardt and Moss.
The Highlands County Sheriff’s Office announced Tuesday that a person had barricaded themselves and was holding children hostage in Venus
Polk County SWAT was called in to relieve the Highlands County unit due to the amount of time that had passed
There was a large police presence into the afternoon, as negotiations continued to have the children released
While authorities have yet to confirm the exact location, witnesses spotted police at the intersection of Earnhardt Drive and Moss Road
‘Obviously we are hoping everyone comes out alive, but we are most concerned for the children,’ Shaffer said.
Due to the amount of time elapsed, Polk County SWAT was called in to relieve the Highlands County unit.
A large police presence continued into the afternoon, as officers negotiated to have the children released.
Authorities said the situation was contained and posed no danger to the rest of the community.
‘We are very proud of and grateful for our Highlands County officers and appreciate Polk County’s assistance,’ Shaffer added.
The sheriff’s office told Dailymail.com that it was unable to provide additional information.