Inside Earl’s Hideaway in Sebastian, several people posted on social media the exchange of gunfire between a wanted man and city police officers.
Moments earlier, the officers tried to arrest Ward Kenyon, a convicted felon with active warrants.
Bar surveillance video shows Officer Preet Singh and Kenyon go down to the ground as Kenyon pulled a weapon from his waistband. Officer Braeden Navue and Corporal Melissa Garrison fire a total of 14 shots.
Sebastian Police Chief Michelle Morris said there was no other reasonable action her officers could have taken last October 9.
“Our officers were doing the job they are supposed to do and in the process placed themselves in harms way to keep the patrons and the public safe," said Chief Morris Wednesday.
Officer Singh is shot in the foot, but it’s not clear who fired that round. Kenyon was hit several times before sliding a gun out from under the pool table and surrendering.
“Ward Kenyon’s actions solely created this situation and forced officers to react to protect themselves and the public," said Chief Morris.
Chief Morris countered criticism on social media over why they engaged with Kenyon in a busy bar by saying they would have been criticized had Kenyon injured or killed someone while waiting for him to leave the bar.
“We tried to apprehend him recently where he fled in a vehicle, crashed and fled scene on foot," said the chief.
One spent .45 caliber casing at the scene indicated Kenyon had fired his weapon.
He pled not guilty at his arraignment last month to seven felony charges including attempted second degree murder of a law enforcement officer.
Officer Singh is back in light duty and should be back to full duty in a few months.
Of the two firearms found in Ward Kenyon's possession, one had been reported stolen out of Brevard County.
