On Monday morning, we broke the story of the armed Vietnam veteran who halted traffic on I-595 when he threatened to commit suicide.
Fredy Gutierrez, 59, of Sunrise, who eventually surrendered to police, was not charged with a crime, according to Davie Police Capt. Dale Engle.
See also: Turnpike and I-595 Shut Down: Suicidal Man Was Army Veteran Facing Deportation
At around 8 a.m. Monday, police received a call about a suicidal man walking around between the overpass that links the turnpike and 595.
Gutierrez sat on the ledge of the overpass, snarling up morning traffic. He was armed with an assault rifle, and had a noose around his neck which was tied to the ladder rack of his truck.
No shots were ever fired, and Gutierrez never threatened anyone.
Engel told New Times on Monday that Gutierrez had been distressed over being deported.
"Mr. Gutierrez was having some issues about getting services through the veterans administration," Engel said. "He had a pending deportation -- has an appeal pending. This laid on him tremendously."
The vet caused a stir on social media and Twitter, as drivers whipped out their cell phones and took pictures of the man sitting on the ledge with a rope tied around his neck. Authorities were forced to close the turnpike and portions of two other expressways as they negotiated with Gutierrez.
After several hours of negotiating, Gutierrez climbed off the ledge, and surrendered. He was taken for a psychological evaluation.
Gutierrez's attorney told the Miami Herald that he is a Colombian national. Gutierrez was honorably discharged from the Army, and has been seeking U.S. citizenship for years, according to the attorney.
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