Man faces terrorism threat charge after East Naples apartment standoff

COLLIER COUNTY (WINK) —  The sound of flashbangs cut through a normally quiet East Naples neighborhood Friday morning.

Peter Hooker, 60, is charged with written threats to kill, do bodily injury or conduct a mass shooting or an act of terrorism, which is a second-degree felony.

The Collier County Sheriff's Office says deputies came to the Lago Apartments around 9:25 a.m. because a man was making threats. They say the man refused to come out and barricaded himself inside.

Concerned that Hooker may be armed, multiple CCSO bureaus from throughout the agency, along with fire and EMS, responded. Throughout the day Hooker continued to ignore deputies' lawful commands to come to the door.

During the standoff, areas of the complex were evacuated and sections of Livingston and Radio roads had to be closed to ensure safety. 

Alex Lopez works across the street at Gerber Collision and Glass and says he saw just how large the response was.

"So, just crazy, so close to home," Lopez said.

"Everyone is a little nervous because we don't know what's going on," Lopez said.

The standoff lasted throughout the day before deputies successfully took Hooker into custody.

"Yeah, I mean, just cops everywhere. I noticed earlier when they blocked off the road next to my job, and they've kind of secured the whole area," Lopez said.

He says he also heard the moment things escalated.

"Yeah, so I'm here working all of a sudden during around lunchtime. I see I noticed the SWAT team pull up, and then all of a sudden I hear flashbangs going off," Lopez said.

Lopez says the response also created traffic problems near his job.

"Yeah, noticing a lot of congestion starting to pile up. It looks like they did block off this road at first. Yeah, I mean he's been out here controlling the traffic," Lopez said.

Despite the uncertainty, he says he feels safe.