In a prepared statement released exclusively to Vero Beach 32963 and veronews.com Friday afternoon, family members of the man who fatally shot an Indian River County deputy at an island community home said they were “heartbroken by the tragic events” that had occurred earlier in the day.
The statement was issued shortly before 5 p.m. Friday through a Vero Beach law firm representing the mother of Michael Halberstam, who began shooting at three deputies who were serving an eviction notice at the Bermuda Club residence shortly before 9 a.m.
Halberstam killed Deputy Terri Mashkow and wounded Deputy Tino Arizpe, who was struck in the shoulder. He also shot a local locksmith who had accompanied the deputies to the Governors Way home.
Halberstam, 37, was also hit multiple times as deputies returned fire. He and Arizpe were transported to Lawnwood Hospital in Fort Pierce. Sheriff’s Sgt. Gary Farless escaped injury.
The law firm that delivered the Halberstam family’s statement did not want to be identified, but it confirmed it has been retained to represent Bradley Halberstam, the shooter’s mother.
In the statement, the family extended its “deepest condolences” to Mashkow’s family, friends and colleagues, as well as its “sincere wishes” for the healing of Arizpe and the locksmith.
“We can’t adequately express our profound sorrow for the pain and devastation this incident has caused,” the statement reads. “Our family grieves for all those impacted.
“Our thoughts remain with the victims, their loved ones, and the entire law-enforcement community during this incredibly difficult time,” the statement continued, closing with a request: “Privacy would be appreciated during this time of healing and grieving.”
