POMPANO BEACH, Fla. – Authorities are investigating a deputy-involved shooting in Pompano Beach.
The shooting occurred late Tuesday night in the area of 600 Briny Ave.
A Local 10 News crew was at the scene early Wednesday morning as a heavy law enforcement presence remained in the area, spanning about two blocks.
“I thought it was fireworks. They are always setting (off) fireworks over here,” Megan Stanton, who lives in the area, said.
According to Carey Codd, a spokesman for the Broward Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to the scene after receiving a call shortly before 11 p.m. regarding an in-progress crime in the area.
Codd said an armed man physically attacked a deputy before pulling out a gun.
Deputies then fired at the suspect, striking the man, Codd said.
“We heard a second round go off -- it was probably five or six consecutive shots of boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, and then at that point, I knew it was a gunshots,” Corey Scruggs, who is visiting from North Carolina, said.
Jae Bennett, a friend of the man who was shot, identified him as Joseph Francis, originally from Rhode Island.
Evening report:
“My gut feeling is this is a case of him being at the wrong place at the wrong time,” said Bennett. “He has no reason to be out committing any crimes.”
People who were sleeping nearby ducked for cover — some getting on the ground in their bathrooms.
“I look outside and the cops are running,” Stanton said. “I couldn’t believe it, and then within minutes, all the cop cars were here. They had a helicopter search light -- everyone was here.”
According to Codd, deputies immediately provided medical treatment to the suspect until Pompano Beach Fire Rescue arrived and transported him to an area hospital.
The suspect is listed in critical condition. His identity has not yet been released nor has further details about the crime allegedly being committed prior to deputies’ arrival. Authorities, however, did confirm that they recovered a weapon at the scene.
BSO’s Homicide Unit detectives, Crime Scene Unit investigators and Internal Affairs investigators all responded to the scene.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement will investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting as is standard protocol in a police or deputy-involved shooting.
Local 10 News reporter Sanela Sabovic