Deadly standoff: Florida police open fire on woman armed with handgun
Broward Sheriff’s Office said police were called to a disturbance in Deerfield Beach, which is a city in Florida, where it is said three officers opened fire at a woman
A woman has been shot dead by police officers following a disturbance at a car park.
Three officers opened fire at the woman, who was declared dead at the scene, at a restaurant car park in Deerfield Beach, Florida today. It is believed she had been inside the restaurant with a gun and so Broward Sheriff’s Office was called to the scene in fear of customer safety.
The confrontation ensued and, as "a threat was presented", officers shot the woman. No further details about her ientity, such as her name, age and where she lived, have been disclosed to reporters at this time.
Authorities are now investigating the shooting, local media reports. It also also states one of the three officers, who are all deputy sheriffs, was taken to hospital with minor injuries and is expected to make a quick recovery.
It is unclear how the deputy sheriff sustained those injuries. Authorities are working to establish whether the woman shot at the police, or he was injured by debris following the fatal gunning.
The woman had brandished the gun, in between cars, in a parking lot in the highly populated area, Sheriff Gregory Tony, of Broward Sheriff’s Office, told the journalists at a press conference today.
A reporter for 6 South Florida told the station: "They (the officers) encountered a woman with a firearm. Officials say a threat was presented on the deputies, which led them to open fire, killing that woman. Now, a deputy was taken to the hospital where he is expected to be OK. As of right now, it is really unclear if the deputy was shoot. FDLE (Florida Department of Law Enforcement) is investigating that scene."
Footage broadcast on that channel show several police cars at the scene, outside the restaurant in Deerfield Beach which is around 20 miles north of the affluent city of Fort Lauderdale in Florida.
It comes weeks after police here were criticised for shooting dead a man at Milton Keynes train station. Tributes were paid to David Joyce, 38, after he was gunned by armed police officer outside the Buckinghamshire rail hub.
Speaking last month, Milton Keynes commander, Chief Superintendent Emma Baillie of Thames Valley Police, said following the shooting: “We understand that this incident may cause concern locally, but we would like to reassure the community that there is no wider risk to the public.”
The force has made a mandatory referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct and they will carry out an investigation into the fatal shooting.
Deputy Editor
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