RIVIERA BEACH, Fla. — A police officer shot a "combative" man who walked onto the Riviera Beach campus of Suncoast Community High School and "made physical contact" with the officer in the parking lot, police said Monday.
Riviera Beach police spokeswoman Serena Spates-Redding said the officer approached the "unauthorized" man, who "became combative and made physical contact with the officer."
"In response, the officer discharged their weapon, resulting in the individual being shot twice," she said.
The man who was shot was taken to a hospital, where he was listed in stable condition Monday afternoon. The officer who shot the man was also treated at a hospital and later released.
Below is the full statement released by the Riviera Beach Police Department:
"Earlier today, an incident occurred in the Suncoast Community High School parking lot involving an unauthorized male who attempted to enter the premises on foot. When approached by an officer, the individual became combative and made physical contact with the officer. In response, the officer discharged their weapon, resulting in the individual being shot twice.
Both the officer and the individual were transported to the hospital for treatment. The officer was treated and released, while the individual remains in stable condition. In light of the incident, Suncoast and surrounding schools were placed on lockdown as a precautionary measure. Fortunately, no students or staff were harmed, and there is no ongoing danger to the surrounding community.
Officers from the Riviera Beach Police Department, along with several other agencies, responded quickly to the scene to manage the situation and ensure public safety. We appreciate your patience and understanding as this is an active investigation.
We extend our sincere gratitude to the Palm Beach County School District Police, Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office, Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the Palm Beach County State Attorney's Office who responded swiftly to assist in keeping our schools and community safe."
Shortly before police released their statement, the School District of Palm Beach County released an updated statement Monday afternoon:
"Today, before school started, an unauthorized adult male entered a Suncoast Community High School parking lot area on foot. When approached by a police officer on campus about why he was there, the individual became combative and made physical contact with the officer. The officer then discharged their weapon, and the individual was shot twice.
The school was immediately placed in full lockdown and then transitioned to limited movement. Several law enforcement agencies responded to the campus to assist with the investigation. No students or school staff were harmed in the incident.
The individual was transported to an area hospital and is in stable condition. He will face criminal charges. The police officer was also transported to an area hospital and later released."
WPTV's Chopper 5 flew overhead during the police investigation and captured the scene of a police perimeter near the campus and crime scene markers on the ground. Chopper aerials of a perimeter road near the school showed shoes, a pile of clothing and other items scattered on the ground.
The school, located off Blue Heron Boulevard and Avenue S, was placed on code-red lockdown immediately after the shooting.
Shortly before 8:45 a.m., students could be seen walking through the courtyard.
"All the students are fine," Riviera Beach Councilman Doug Lawson, who was at the school, told WPTV. "All the teachers and staff are fine."
A top-ranking Riviera Beach police official told WPTV's Shannon Cake the Florida Department of Law Enforcement has taken over the investigation.
Suncoast remained open, but parents were able to pick up their children early, leading to long lines of vehicles waiting to access the bus loop off Avenue S.
