FORT PIERCE, Fla. — Fort Pierce police released new details Monday surrounding an officer-involved shooting that claimed the life of a 62-year-old man.
Police shared a photo of the taser that David Jeffrey Taylor allegedly pointed at officers Sunday morning as they responded to a call regarding an armed burglary in progress at an apartment on Bayshore Drive on South Hutchinson Island. According to Fort Pierce police, they were told a male was inside the residence, armed with a 9mm handgun.
Fort Pierce
1 dead, officer injured following shooting in Fort Pierce
Police Chief Diane Hobley-Burney told WPTV that officers pushed open the door after noticing it was ajar just before 6 a.m.
Two officers, at least one of which was using a shield, engaged with Taylor after police said he refused their commands to drop the weapon. One of the officers was struck in the arm by a bullet from the second officer.
The injured officer, who has been with the department for about three-and-a-half years, has been released from the hospital.
"The description matched and then to see this person point this at them, they will react and they reacted in a way to stop the threat that was happening," said Hobley-Burney.
WPTV reporter Jon Shainman asked the police chief if there was an actual burglary in progress at the time. She replied that the Florida Department of Law Enforcement is handling that part of the investigation and she hopes they reach a conclusion shortly.
FRIENDS OF TAYLOR REACT
Police said there was another person inside the residence when they found and shot Taylor.
WPTV's Ethan Stein spoke with Taylor's best friend and roommate, who did not want to identify herself. She said Taylor called 911 on her cellphone and told her to get in a room and lock the door. Then, she heard the gunshots. That's also what she told landlord Glenn Strong.
"There are bullet holes everywhere. There's a bullet hole in my fridge. There's a pile of blood. I don't know if it's his brain matter or guts," Strong said.
Strong described Taylor as a "special person," a "sweet man" and "quiet as a church mouse," who was loved by neighbors. He said he's concerned that Taylor was wrongfully shot.
"I'm pro-cop, but this situation, something wasn't right," Strong said. "Something was done wrong here."
"He was one of those people that hugged you and was concerned, would call you on important dates," said Taylor's friend and former landlord Michelle Longarzo. "He was a special person."
No one WPTV has spoken to said that Taylor had mental health issues, and they are suspicious of the situation as they await more details.
