Orange County, Fla. – A man was shot by deputies on Friday evening after he called 911 and threatened to take his own life, according to the sheriff’s office.
Authorities say they received the call around 5:15 p.m. The man gave his name and said he planned to kill himself before hanging up. Concerned for his safety, deputies went to his home at 6803 Merganser Drive.
A relative let the deputies inside, and as they entered, the man came out of a bedroom holding a knife.
Deputies Ordered Him to Drop the Knife
The sheriff’s office reported that deputies repeatedly told the man to put the knife down as they slowly backed out of the house. However, he continued to move toward them, refusing to obey their commands.
Even as deputies continued to warn him, the man did not stop or drop the weapon.
Deputies Open Fire
Fearing for their safety, the deputies fired their guns, hitting the man. Emergency responders rushed him to the hospital, where he underwent surgery. However, officials have not released details about his current condition.
Investigation Underway
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) is now investigating the shooting. Once their review is complete, they will submit their findings to the State Attorney’s Office for further evaluation.
Following this, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO) will conduct its own internal investigation, as is standard procedure in officer-involved shootings.
In the meantime, the deputies involved have been placed on temporary paid administrative leave while the investigation is ongoing.
At this time, no further details have been released.
