New details revealed that a Belle Glade woman was struck with a large rock, which ultimately led to a deputy-involved shooting near an elementary school on Thursday.
According to the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office (PBSO), at about 10:45 a.m. on Thursday, deputies responded to an altercation at SW Avenue G Place in Belle Glade, which is near Glade View Elementary School. Upon deputies’ arrival, law enforcement learned that a woman was grabbing groceries out of her vehicle when she was approached without warning by a man.
Deputies say the suspect struck the woman with a large rock. The suspect then turned his sights on the neighbor who tried to run into her home after witnessing the attack.
The sheriff’s office says deputies made multiple verbal commands for the suspect to drop the items in his hands and put his hands up, but the suspect ignored all commands and began advancing toward deputies while throwing objects at deputies.
“The deputies arrived. They encounter the individual. He’s holding a large rock and some type of weapon in his hand. It’s hard to discern what it is, but it looks like it has a sharp instrument sticking out of it,” Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw said. “They tell him, drop the weapons. Drop the weapons. He refuses. He starts walking towards them. They retreat a little bit. Ask him again to drop the weapons. They retreat again.”
It led to a PBSO deputy discharging his firearm, leading to the suspect being struck in his lower extremities. Deputies were able to render aid and transport the suspect to a hospital.
He is expected to survive, and felony counts are pending.
Bradshaw praised deputies for their restraint under pressure.
“The deputies did a good job trying to deploy non-life-threatening weapons to start with. It just wasn’t going to work,” he said. “It’s obvious this guy was pretty hopped up on something — either narcotics or he’s got a really bad mental problem — and they did a good job resolving the incident the way they did.”
Because of how close the incident was to Glade View Elementary, the school was briefly placed on lockdown. Principal Shundra Dowers sent this message to families and staff:
Hello, Glade View Elementary School families and staff, this is Principal Dowers with an important message. All students and staff are safe. Our school was placed on a brief lockdown this morning as a precautionary measure due to law enforcement activity in the surrounding neighborhood. The incident occurred off-campus and was not related to our school. However, due to the proximity of our school, you may see increased law enforcement presence on or around our campus as they continue to respond to the nearby situation.”
We are currently in limited movement on campus as a precaution while local law enforcement investigates the off-campus incident. We are proceeding with our regularly scheduled instructional day. There is no need to come to the campus at this time. If you choose to sign your student out, please bring your identification. We appreciate your cooperation in helping us maintain a safe learning environment and for your continued support of Glade View Elementary School.
Two Palm Beach County Sheriff’s deputies have been placed on administrative leave. The woman who was struck with a rock was taken to a local hospital and is expected to make a full recovery.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), the Palm Beach County State Attorney’s Office and PBSO’s Violent Crime Division are investigating.
Why You Need a Personal Injury Lawyer After a Shooting Accident
Shooting accidents can leave victims with life-altering injuries and emotional trauma. If you or a loved one has been affected, Ovadia Law Group is here to help. Our experienced personal injury attorneys understand the complexities of negligent shooting cases and work tirelessly to secure justice. Whether the incident occurred in a public space, private property, or workplace, we investigate thoroughly to determine liability. Victims may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. At Ovadia Law Group, we offer compassionate legal support and aggressive representation. Don’t navigate this difficult time alone our team is ready to fight for your rights. Call us today at 1-800-674-9396 for a free consultation and let us help you move forward after a shooting accident.
Source: cbs12
