MERRITT ISLAND, Florida — The Brevard County Sheriff’s Office reported that the man involved in yesterday’s Merritt Island shooting died last night at the Cape Canaveral Hospital in Cocoa Beach, Florida. The identity of the man is not being released pending the notification of his next of kin. UPDATE: Merritt Island Man Shot By Deputies Identified
“Law enforcement is a very dangerous job, which requires split second decisions,” Sheriff Wayne Ivey said in a statement. “The deputies were placed in a very difficult situation and reacted appropriately to address the lethal threat. I am very thankful that no one in the community nor our deputies were injured. Our thoughts and prayers are with the deputies, their families and the family of the decedent.”
Around 4:30 p.m. yesterday, Brevard County Sheriff’s deputies responded to 490 Belair Avenue, Merritt Island for an emergency 911 call regarding shots fired by a naked man.
When deputies arrived, they determined the incident was domestic-related. According to a 911 call, the man had fired several rounds within the house. As deputies attempted to make contact with the him, they were confronted by the Merritt Island man who deputies day was armed with a handgun.
The deputies responded to the threat, firing their duty weapons at the man, who was struck. The man was transported to the Cape Canaveral Hospital Emergency Room in critical condition.
The deputies involved in the incident are not being identified at this time and are currently assigned to patrol at the East Precinct.
The investigation is ongoing and is being conducted by the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Services. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is conducting an independent and parallel investigation regarding the use of deadly force.
The deputies have been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation. This is a common practice anytime a deputy is involved in a line-of-duty shooting.