Man’s body found in vehicle on 69th Street near lagoon; possible overdose suspected

U.S. Marshal, suspect wounded in Indian River County shooting

INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — A man with a high-risk warrant out of Colorado, along with a U.S. Marshal, were both shot late Monday as law enforcement officers attempted to detain the suspect, officials said. Both were hospitalized and expected to survive, sheriff's officials said. "This is a really bad guy they took down," said Martin County Sheriff John Budensiek as he stood alongside Indian River County Sheriff Eric Flowers to brief the media at the scene of the shooting. "He has serious charges out of Colorado." The shooting involved three Indian River County deputies, a Martin County deputy and the U.S. Marshal. The deputies from both sheriff's agencies were placed on paid administrative leave, which is routine for deputy-involved shootings. ...

Boater discovers man’s body in Sebastian; deputies investigating

INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — The body of a man who was involved in a police chase where he jumped into the Indian River Lagoon to evade officers, was discovered floating in the water not far from the shoreline Sunday in Sebastian. The man was identified as 18-year-old Elias J. Ramos, of Edgewater, Volusia County. "It appears the man drowned, but that has not been officially confirmed," said Capt. Joe Abollo, a spokesperson for the Indian River County Sheriff's Office. "It's unfortunate. This is a tragic incident." Abollo said Ramos appeared to have been dead for a few days. Deputies were investigating the finding as a suspicious death. An autopsy, scheduled for this week, will determine Ramos' exact cause of death. ...

New Fire Rescue Station 7 opens in Indian River County

INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — A new fire rescue station that will allow for quicker and more efficient response times to emergencies along the State Road 60 corridor and Interstate 95, opened Friday. The new complex is the 15th fire rescue facility to operate in Indian River County, officials said. "This was a cow pasture before. Half of the cost was putting in paved roads because there was no infrastructure here," said David Johnson, director of the department of emergency services for Indian River County. "We had to put in roads, electricity, water and sewer." Crowds gathered at the $7.3 million facility at 1:30 p.m. Friday at 9700 26th Place in southern Fellsmere for the ribbon cutting ceremony. Dignitaries made remarks ...