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.
“We reviewed body camera footage. This was a real-deal gun fight tonight,” Budensiek said. There were no reports of bystanders being struck by the gunfire, Flowers said.
Yellow crime scene tape blocked off 12th Street from U.S. 1 to the railroad tracks. The roadway was expected to be closed overnight, officials said.
“We don’t work joint operations like this unless we’re tracking down really bad guys,” Flowers said. “This is a bad guy who did not want to go to prison.”
Video by Nick Samuel
The incident unfolded when a multi-agency team involving the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office, Martin County Sheriff’s Office and U.S. Marshals tried to detain the suspect. The team used their vehicles to block in the suspect’s vehicle shortly before 8:30 p.m. Monday, March 2 at 12th Street and Commerce Avenue, just south of the Vero Beach city limits.
“(Deputies) went to block him in to take him into custody. Instead of coming out and giving up, he came out shooting (at deputies),” Budensiek said.
The deputies then returned fire.
“Our team did exactly what they were trained to do,” Flowers said.
The man was taken to HCA Florida Lawnwood Hospital in Fort Pierce, said Lt. Kevin Jaworski, a spokesperson for the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office. It was not immediately clear how many times the man was shot.
The U.S. Marshal, who was shot in the leg, was taken to Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital.
“The names of everyone involved will be released at a later time,” Jaworski said.
The FBI, along with the state attorney’s office, also responded to the scene, Flowers said. The shooting will be a joint investigation conducted by the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office and Martin County Sheriff’s Office, along with federal officials.
Further details on the man’s warrant out of Colorado were not immediately available.
“We will bring justice in this case,” Flowers said. “We’ll make sure this bad guy faces the toughest penalties. Whether if it’s a state case or federal case will be determined later.”
Photos by Joshua Kodis
