FL Deputies Kill 79-Year-Old Man During Welfare Check

A 79-year-old man was shot and killed by police in Florida Saturday evening after authorities said he pointed a firearm at deputies responding to a welfare check.

The Brevard County Sheriff's Office announced Sunday that two deputies responded to Pine Avenue in Mims at approximately 7:55 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, after receiving a call from the man's son, who reported that his father was suicidal.

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Sheriff Wayne Ray said responding deputies determined the man met the criteria for an involuntary mental health examination under Florida's Baker Act, which allows authorities to temporarily detain individuals for psychiatric evaluation under certain circumstances.

He then said deputies subsequently requested transportation to take the man to a medical facility for evaluation.

However, Way explained that the encounter turned violent when medical transportation arrived.

Responding deputies allege the man retrieved a firearm concealed beneath his body and pointed it toward the deputies, prompting both deputies to open fire.

The man was transported to a local hospital, where he later died from his injuries.

Authorities have not released the deceased man's identity or the names of the deputies involved.

Way said both deputies have been placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation, which the sheriff's office said is standard procedure following a deputy-involved shooting.

The Brevard County Sheriff's Office is investigating the shooting and said its findings will be forwarded to the Brevard/Seminole State Attorney's Office for an independent review to determine whether the use of deadly force was legally justified.

The sheriff's office has not disclosed how many shots were fired or whether either deputy was injured during the encounter.

Authorities said additional information will be released as the investigation progresses.