Palm Bay Police Shooting Suspect In Custody

Categories: Palm Bay

Palm Bay Police Shooting Suspect In Custody

PALM BAY, Florida — A suspect who allegedly shot and wounded a Palm Bay Police Officer is in custody following a six hour stand-off with law enforcement. 55-year-old Mark Clark was arrested at his home at 1789 Sea Grape St. NE in Palm Bay, Florida. He is facing two charges of attempted murder of a law enforcement officer, aggravated battery of a law enforcement officer, and aggravated assault.

At approximately 6:30 pm Saturday, Officer James Bearden and Officer Shane Carroll went to Clark’s home to arrest him for an aggravated assault that occurred the day before involving his family members. According to the victims, Clark threatened to kill them and any law enforcement officer attempting to intervene.

When officers arrived at the home, there was brief conversation with the suspect when he allegedly opened fire. Officer Bearden was wounded in the left side of his jaw. He was treated and released from the hospital – and is recovering at his home

. Officer Carroll injured his elbow when he fell as he was returning fire.

Clark then barricaded himself in the home. He was believed to be heavily armed. SWAT teams from Palm Bay and Brevard County responded along with crisis negotiators. Communication with the suspect was intermittent for several hours until he finally agreed to surrender just after 1:30 a.m. Sunday.

Clark sustained minor injuries during the incident. He was bitten in the leg by a sheriff’s K-9 and suffered minor lacerations from glass breakage. Clark was treated and released from the hospital and immediately taken to the Palm Bay Police Department where he was questioned by detectives. Clark was then taken to the jail where he currently awaits an initial court appearance scheduled for Monday afternoon.

Detectives and crime scene technicians are currently processing the scene at Clark’s home. Police say the investigation is ongoing.

Officer James Bearden and Officer Shane Carroll are on paid administrative leave per routine protocol following a police involved shooting.

Officer Shane Carroll has been with the Palm Bay Police Department for approximately two years. He came from a lengthy law enforcement career in Cook County, Illinois.

Officer Bearden has also been with the department for approximately two years. He is a military combat veteran with tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan.