Armed woman shot multiple times by Brevard deputy

Lina Portman3 days ago

0 2 minutes read

A woman who was brandishing a handgun as Brevard County sheriff's deputies searched for her and a man hiding in the woods was shot multiple times Wednesday near a restaurant north of Melbourne.

The injured woman was taken to an unspecified hospital where she was listed in stable condition, the sheriff's office said. No officers were injured in the incident. The man and woman have not been identified, but Sheriff Wayne Ivey said both have warrants for their arrest.

The incident is the third officer-involved shooting to occur in Brevard County in seven days, as Brevard County Sheriff's deputies and Melbourne Police Department patrol officers responded to reports of a man and woman with guns in the area of Jimmy Hula's restaurant near U.S. 1, just north of Palm Shores.

The latest incident began around 1:05 p.m. when someone called the sheriff's office to report a car break-in.

“Officers responded. Upon arriving on scene, they observed a male and female suspect; the female suspect was armed with a firearm, a handgun,” said Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey, who spoke about the incident as crime scene officers and investigators combed the parking lot and nearby wooded area for evidence.

Deputies called the couple, who were believed to be hiding in the thicket of palm trees and brush behind the restaurant, which is near the Pineda Causeway entrance ramp.

More: Man tells Melbourne police 'I declare war' on US before deadly confrontation at his apartment

“At one point as they were running away, the woman was holding the gun in the air… they ran into the woods,” Ivey said.

After a perimeter was established, deputies went into the woods and ordered the couple to leave, Ivey said.

“The deputy fired; she was hit multiple times,” the sheriff said, adding that deputies said they feared for her life when he shot the woman.

Melbourne's K-9 dog was used to gain custody of the man.

The investigation into the shooting, if conducted by the sheriff's office, is expected to be turned over to the state's attorney's office for review. The state's attorney will then determine whether the shooting – based on ballistics analysis, interviews and other forensic evidence – constituted a justifiable use of force.

It is not yet known whether the sheriff's office will conduct its own investigation into the shooting. Officers are also investigating reports that the couple was seen in the area earlier. It is not yet known whether the officers have been placed on paid administrative leave.

Wednesday's shooting was the third use of force by Brevard County officers in the past week.

On June 26, Melbourne police, sheriff's deputies and Palm Bay Police Department officers responded to the Pentagon Apartments off U.S. Highway 192 in Melbourne in response to a man who shot at officers after they called 911 to “declare war.” The gunman was shot as he was leaving his home.

On June 28, at Melbourne Orlando International Airport, police shot and killed a 40-year-old gunman who investigators said tried to gain access to a secure gate and board a nearby plane.

Airport police confronted the man, who was holding a gun, and fired several shots. The man, identified as John Jay Neibuhr, was pronounced dead at the scene. Neibuhr had claimed to be part of an anti-government sovereign citizens movement.

Both cases are under review.

Tim Shortt contributed to this article. JD Gallop is a criminal justice and breaking news reporter at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Gallop at 321-917-4641 or [email protected]. Or X, formerly known as Twitter: @JDGallop.

Lina Portman

Related Articles

Cornwall police charge woman with assault and weapons possession

Actor Nick Pasqual arrested at US-Mexico border after stabbing ex-girlfriend

Deadly Rockland, Massachusetts fire was electrical, investigators say – NBC Boston

A Thai court sentences an opposition MP to 2 years in prison for defaming the monarchy.