BOCA RATON, Fla. — The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating an officer-involved shooting that claimed a man's life Wednesday.
During an afternoon news conference, Boca Raton police spokeswoman Jessica Desir said an officer encountered the man shortly before 11:30 a.m. along Northwest Second Avenue between Northwest Second Street and Palmetto Park Road.
The location is between the Boca Raton Police Department and City Hall.
"At some point during that encounter, the officer fired his weapon," Desir said. "We can confirm that one male is deceased, and we are working to identify that individual."
An anonymous witness says they were just feet away and described the scene.
"The police was actually chasing the guy. They went to the sidewalk that’s when the police officer tased him the first time," stated a witness. "He actually did not stop did not actually fall on the ground, and tried to take out the tasers. Cops still actually tried to get him to stop. He did not listen. They went to the middle of the street and that’s when at one point the cop had to drop the taser and pull out the gun.”
Update @ 12:37: The investigation is ongoing. There is no threat to the public. Roads will remain closed until further notice. FDLE is on scene investigating.
— Boca Raton Police (@BocaPolice) December 18, 2024
The officer, whose name has not been released, was not hurt during the incident.
Police did not elaborate on what type of "encounter" occurred and what prompted the officer to fire their weapon.
A local resident who WPTV reporter Matt Sczesny spoke to said he heard shots fired.
"I heard three shots clearly," Boca Raton resident James Cipolla said. "I use a gun, so I heard three shots. It was a quick, 'pop pop pop.' I knew what I heard, no question about it."
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement released the following statement on the case:
"This morning, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) was requested by the Boca Raton Police Department to investigate an officer-involved shooting investigation. FDLE's investigation is limited to the officer's use of force. The investigation remains active, therefore additional information will not be provided at this time"
All roads that were closed earlier were back open by 5 p.m.
No other details were immediately available.
