Update: Martin County Deputy shoots and kills machete wielding man.
On Friday, October 27, at 11:14 p.m. a uniformed Martin County Sheriff’s Deputy advised dispatch that he would be on foot patrol just west of Jake’s Store near the corner of Martin Luther King Boulevard and Charleston Street in Indiantown. The deputy advised over the radio that shots were fired three minutes later.
photo: Martin County Sheriff
A second MCSO deputy, who was on an unrelated traffic stop several hundred yards east of the area, heard the shots and responded to the location. He saw the MCSO deputy administering first aid to a male suspect who had been shot several times. He also saw a large machete strapped to the wrist of the suspect victim. Martin County Fire Rescue was requested. Paramedics responded and transported the suspect victim to Martin Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
At the request of Sheriff William Snyder the FBI and the States Attorney responded.
At the request of Sheriff William Snyder, the FBI responded to the scene to monitor the investigation. Also, at the request of the Sheriff, investigators with the State Attorney’s Office responded to conduct their own investigation.
The suspect, who is possibly homeless, was in a violent confrontation with Martin County Deputies following Hurricane Irma on September 6, 2017. At that time, the suspect, without provocation, began an altercation with an MCSO Sergeant who was sitting in his patrol car working on reports. The suspect became agitated with the deputy’s presence. He utilized his bicycle to block the driver’s side door of the patrol car. The subject told the Sergeant, “The spirits are going to kill you, and if they let me, I will too.”
The sergeant had to force his way out of the vehicle, at which time the subject continued to approach him in an aggressive manner. Two other deputies were called to assist. Following a struggle, the subject was taken into custody. As a result of his erratic actions, the suspect was involuntarily transported to a mental health facility under the provisions of the Baker Act Statute. One of the deputies who assisted during that incident was transported to the hospital with minor injuries. The Sergeant also suffered scrapes and bruises as a result of the struggle.
At this time, the investigation continues. Detectives await statements from witnesses, including that of the deputy who discharged the weapon. The suspect victim’s name will be released after positive identification is made and next kin are notified. An additional briefing on this incident will take place Monday afternoon.
