WESTON, Fla. – A Broward Sheriff’s Office deputy responding to a call at a Weston apartment complex fatally shot a 55-year-old man who had been reported as a “possible suspicious person” Monday morning.
Deputies had been looking for Mario Bonilla after he went missing over the weekend.
The shooting happened at around 9:15 a.m. in the 1400 block of Capri Lane, within the 10X Weston complex.
According to BSO, Bonilla was in his car at the complex with a weapon. After responding to the suspicious activity call, Bonilla got out of the car with the weapon and charged at a deputy, who then opened fire.
A BSO spokesperson didn’t specify the type of weapon in question.
Bonilla’s mother-in-law, Wanda Cordero, said she came to the scene after she got a call that his car was in the complex.
MISSING ENDANGERED PERSON: Have you seen 55yo Mario Bonilla missing from Weston? He was last seen on 2/10, near 16605 Hemingway Drive. He was driving a red 03 Nissan Altima, FL tag 687MKQ. Call 954-321-4268 w/info. https://t.co/2VOaBf9wJJ pic.twitter.com/IMhI4FCqbY
— Broward Sheriff (@browardsheriff) February 11, 2024
Bonilla had left an apologetic suicide note before disappearing, she said.
“I don’t know why this happened. I do not know why. Here’s the nicest person,” Cordero said. “Last week he was at home at dinner, had dinner with me, was so thankful. We don’t know what’s happening.”
Authorities said they were looking into whether the case was an instance of “suicide by cop.”
They haven’t identified the deputy who opened fire.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is now investigating the shooting.