INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, FL - Authorities are investigating an incident that led to a deputy being fatally shot and two others being injured while serving an eviction notice on Friday morning, November 21.
Indian River County Sheriff Eric Flowers said three deputies were serving an eviction notice in the 1100 block of Governor's Way, in the Bermuda Club/Somerset Bay community, WPBF reported. The alleged suspect, identified as Michael Halberstam, was being evicted from the home by his mother, according to WESH.
Deputy Terri Mashkow, 47, was killed inside the residence. She had 25 years and 16 days of service. Deputy Florentino Arizpe was shot in the shoulder. He was with the sheriff's office for 25 years. Flowers said Arizpe retreated into the garage, and he is now recovering at HCA Florida Lawnwood Hospital.
Their sergeant was also on scene and did not sustain any injuries. The locksmith on scene was injured during the shooting. He was transported to the hospital and taken into surgery, where he now remains in critical condition. Halberstam also had surgery and is in critical condition.
Flowers said once the deputies arrived at the entry of the home, Halberstam began shooting. "We've had seven calls to this residence all this month," he said. "Almost all of them from the mother calling about him and her decision to ultimately evict him."
Flowers said Halberstam has a 2006 narcotic charge and a 2015 misdemeanor assault charge out of Virginia. He was allegedly fired from his job at UPS and previously made negative comments about the Indian River County Sheriff's Office on his Facebook page.
At least a dozen sheriff's vehicles and unmarked law enforcement cars, including an armored sheriff's vehicle, were seen driving at high speeds along U.S. Route 1 in Vero Beach moments after the call came in. Flowers said that this marks the second line-of-duty death within the sheriff's office in its 100-year history. During a press conference, Governor Ron DeSantis commented on the shooting.
"We are mourning a situation in Indian River County. We had three officers that have been shot," said DeSantis. "There is just a lot going on. Just know, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement is engaged, working with the sheriff and the local community. We will hope for the best results out of that," he added.
Indian River County Sheriff Eric Flowers said three deputies were serving an eviction notice in the 1100 block of Governor's Way, in the Bermuda Club/Somerset Bay community, WPBF reported. The alleged suspect, identified as Michael Halberstam, was being evicted from the home by his mother, according to WESH.
Deputy Terri Mashkow, 47, was killed inside the residence. She had 25 years and 16 days of service. Deputy Florentino Arizpe was shot in the shoulder. He was with the sheriff's office for 25 years. Flowers said Arizpe retreated into the garage, and he is now recovering at HCA Florida Lawnwood Hospital.
Their sergeant was also on scene and did not sustain any injuries. The locksmith on scene was injured during the shooting. He was transported to the hospital and taken into surgery, where he now remains in critical condition. Halberstam also had surgery and is in critical condition.
Flowers said once the deputies arrived at the entry of the home, Halberstam began shooting. "We've had seven calls to this residence all this month," he said. "Almost all of them from the mother calling about him and her decision to ultimately evict him."
Flowers said Halberstam has a 2006 narcotic charge and a 2015 misdemeanor assault charge out of Virginia. He was allegedly fired from his job at UPS and previously made negative comments about the Indian River County Sheriff's Office on his Facebook page.
At least a dozen sheriff's vehicles and unmarked law enforcement cars, including an armored sheriff's vehicle, were seen driving at high speeds along U.S. Route 1 in Vero Beach moments after the call came in. Flowers said that this marks the second line-of-duty death within the sheriff's office in its 100-year history. During a press conference, Governor Ron DeSantis commented on the shooting.
"We are mourning a situation in Indian River County. We had three officers that have been shot," said DeSantis. "There is just a lot going on. Just know, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement is engaged, working with the sheriff and the local community. We will hope for the best results out of that," he added.
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