Man taken into custody after hours-long standoff at St. Pete condominium complex

A man has been taken into custody after an hours-long standoff at a St. Petersburg condominium complex.

It began just before noon at the Vantage Point Condominiums on Gandy Boulevard. St. Pete police say the man, later identified as Keith Rackett, 33, was calling in threats to their Communications Center and also made threatening statements on social media.

Police, as well as a SWAT Team, responded to the scene, but Rackett reportedly barricaded himself inside the condo and threatened to harm his roommate — as well as officers.

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“As the officers were here, he was streaming — video streaming — what he was doing inside the home,” Chief Anthony Holloway said at a media briefing on Saturday.

Negotiators were in talks with Rackett until at least 3:30 p.m. Police said they were eventually able to get Rackett and his roommate out of their condo unharmed.

Records show Rackett has been charged with false imprisonment and threatening public servant.

An investigation is ongoing.