LAUDERHILL, Fla. – An investigation is ongoing after an officer/deputy-involved shooting that occurred Wednesday night.
Anglita Dieudonne recalls taking cover with her baby as law enforcement zeroed in on the Calypso Cove apartment complex where she lives in Lauderhill.
Other neighbors said they saw SWAT, ATF, deputies and police officers surrounding the building.
“There were just gunshots like six, seven gunshots went off and we ducked down really quickly but it was scary,” said Dieudonne.
The Broward Sheriff’s Office first provided an update late Wednesday night.
“The Broward Sheriff’s Office and Lauderhill police were conducting a joint law enforcement operation in this area when two armed men approached members of law enforcement at that time, an armed altercation ensued,” said BSO spokesperson Carey Codd.
Police have since added that the two men pointed their guns and opened fire at the officer and deputy first, and then they returned fire, striking 28-year-old Tafari Elliot.
Codd went on to say a BSO deputy and a Lauderhill police task force officer fired their weapons. She added that the armed man who was shot was taken to Broward Health Medical Center for treatment.
“Investigators were able to recover multiple firearms on the scene,” said Codd. “At this time, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement will be investigating the law enforcement-involved shooting. Broward Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division will be investigating the circumstances that led up to the shooting and BSOs internal affairs unit will be investigating on an administrative level.”
Neighbors say they believe the original investigation may have been related to gang activity in the area, and over the past three years, gun violence has been prevalent.
“This happens often, so, too often,” said Dieudonne.
The deputy who was involved in the shooting has been placed on administrative leave. There has been no update on Lauderhill officer who was involved.
Authorities said there is one armed man who remains at large.
Anyone with information is urged to call Broward Crime Stoppers at 954-493-8477.