Accused Extortionist Triggers Brooklyn Standoff, Feds Say

PROSPECT LEFFERTS-GARDENS, BROOKLYN -- An extortion suspect locked himself inside a Brooklyn apartment and triggered an hours-long standoff with emergency responders Friday morning, officials said.

Wilbert Bryant, 54, locked himself into an apartment on Maple Street and Nostrand Avenue when police responded to reports of shots fired at about 5:30 a.m., prosecutors said.

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Residents reported on social media that a large police presence, with helicopters and specialized units, surrounded the suspected gunman inside 292 Maple St.

Officers used a tactical pry bar to break into the apartment where the suspect had barricaded themselves. (video taken from @CitizenApp_NYC) pic.twitter.com/tECFYVFypN
— Jeffrey West (@JeffreyWest) January 4, 2019

Bryant had been charged with an extortion scheme that resulted in a Queens murder on Oct. 23, 2017 and could land him with a life prison sentence, court records show.

After "a long standoff," emergency responders took Bryant, with non-life-threatening injuries, to Kings County Hospital, according to the FDNY.

Bryant pleaded not guilty during an arraignment in Brooklyn Federal Court, was held without bail, and ordered to return to court on Jan. 24, prosecutors said.

The Maple Street arrest was not discussed in court, said prosecutors.

Photo courtesy of GoogleMaps