INDIALANTIC, Florida -- A deputy was shot multiple times and a suspect is dead during a Tuesday night shootout after an argument about feral cats between two neighbors broke out, according to the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office.
“From what we can tell at this time, the suspect fired multiple times,” Sheriff Wayne Ivey said during a press conference. “We haven’t been able to determine who fired first. I can tell you our deputy did see him with a gun, and him coming at the deputy. Our deputy’s life was in danger, and he had to take immediate tactical action to save his life.”
A deputy responded to a disturbance at 8:30 p.m. Tuesday at an unincorporated Indialantic residence, where he found two neighbors arguing, one of whom seemed very agitated, Ivey said.
The unidentified deputy told one neighbor to go inside so he could talk to the agitated neighbor, Ivey said.
The agitated neighbor, who also was not identified, moved behind a vehicle nearby, where the deputy, a U.S. Army veteran, heard the distinct sound of someone charging a rifle, Ivey said.
The two exchanged gunfire, Ivey said.
It is unclear at this time how many shots were fired, but the deputy expended all rounds in one magazine, reloaded and began firing again, Ivey said.
The suspect was shot and died, Ivey said.
The other neighbor pulled the deputy, who had collapsed because of several gunshot wounds, to cover, Ivey said.
The deputy was hospitalized in serious but stable condition, Ivey said.
Ivey visited the deputy, who was awake and alert, Ivey said.
“His statement to me was, ‘I won,’" Ivey said. “I could not be more proud of our deputy for his actions, for his tactical preparedness and his ability to withstand somebody shooting at him with a rifle.”
This is a breaking-news story. Check back for updates.
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