Pensacola man arrested in Santa Rosa for allegedly firing at SWAT team after traffic stop

The Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office announced Monday that they arrested a 77-year-old man from Pensacola after he allegedly barricaded himself in his vehicle and fired multiple times at SWAT.

Clifford Whennen was charged with a host of felonies that include aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, discharge of a firearm from a vehicle, failure to obey a law enforcement officer order and criminal mischief after a traffic stop quickly escalated Saturday afternoon.

The incident began when the Milton Police Department received a complaint of a reckless driver on Glover Lane, leading to an officer stopping the vehicle.

"After approaching the vehicle, the suspect became argumentative, and the MPD officer called for assistance," the SRSO release says. "When Santa Rosa Sheriff's Office units arrived on scene, the suspect fled the scene."

The SRSO blocked Whennen's vehicle on Glover Lane at which point he exited his vehicle and allegedly pointed a firearm at his own head. When deputies attempted to have the man drop the gun, Whennen re-entered his vehicle.

SRSO's SWAT team was called and began negotiating with him.

"Failed negotiations were continued, and less lethal munitions were deployed within the vehicle," the release says. "Upon deployment of the less lethal munitions, Whennen immediately shot seven rounds in the direction of law enforcement."

Whennen eventually opened the door to his vehicle, allowing law enforcement to arrest him.

The SRSO says Whennen had a warrant our for his arrest on an unrelated felony.

He is currently held in Santa Rosa County Jail without bond.