Florida Deputy Shoots, Kills Knife-Wielding Man
Story by local6.com
A knife-wielding burglary suspect was shot and killed Sunday after confronting two Brevard County sheriff’s deputies investigating a noise complaint near Palm Bay, according to Local 6 News partner Florida Today .
The shooting happened about 5:24 a.m. in the Enchanted Lakes Estates subdivision located on the 1600 block of Stardust Drive and just east of Palm Bay Community Hospital.
"There were several calls from neighbors reporting that a male was yelling or screaming outside. It was more of a suspicious incident and the deputies went to that call not knowing what to expect," said Andy Walters, spokesman for the Brevard County sheriff's office.
The suspect was identified as 49-year-old Frankie E. Harewood of Palm Bay.
When deputies arrived, they found the man inside one of the manufactured homes standing close to the homeowner.
"He wasn’t supposed to be in that trailer," Walters said, adding that the mobile home park is frequented by winter-time visitors and is made up of mostly older residents.
One of the deputies went up the stairs to investigate when he saw the Harewood with the knife. The deputy tried to retreat and ended up twisting his knee and falling to the ground. A second deputy, identified as Steve Fernez, fired two rounds at the suspect as he lunged forward.
Harewood, wounded in the area of the abdomen, collapsed and died at the scene, officials said.
The deputy with the injured knee was treated at a local hospital and released.
Fernez, whose family has extensive law enforcement ties, was placed on administrative leave with pay pending the outcome of FDLE’s investigation, Florida Today reported.