Man Accused of Attempted Murder in Shootout, Standoff With Police

A Florida man faces attempted murder and other charges after breaking into his ex-girfriend's home and exchanging gunfire with police during an hours-long standoff with authorities late Wednesday into Thursday morning in Roseland, the Essex County Prosecutor's Office said.

Anthony Vocaturo, 51, of Fort Meyers, Fla., was charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault, criminal restraint, burglary and weapons charges Thursday afternoon, according to the Essex County Prosecutor's Office.

Vocaturo was taken into custody just after 3 a.m. Thursday morning after hours of negotiating with police. 

The standoff began at 9:52 p.m. when Vocaturo broke into an ex-girlfriend’s townhouse on Schweinberg Drive in Roseland and threatened her life, the prosecutor's office said.

When police arrived, they heard screams coming from inside the home, the prosecutor's office said. A shootout began when police attempted to enter the home, the prosecutor's office said.

Vocaturo was "grazed" by a bullet in the exchange, according to the prosecutor's office. At that time, the woman and her 16-year-old son were able to exit the home uninjured. 

Vocaturo barricaded himself in the Schweinberg Drive home and negotiated with authorities for hours before surrendering at about 3 a.m. He was transported to a hospital for his injuries and released, according to the prosecutor's office. 

Vocaturo's bail was set at $500,000. He is currently being held at the Essex County Correctional Facility in Newark.