Suspect dead after allegedly killing Florida cop, locksmith during eviction attempt

VERO BEACH, Fla. (TCN) -- A Florida deputy died Nov. 21 while serving an eviction notice after a man allegedly opened fire during what authorities are calling a standard call for service.

According to Indian County Sheriff Eric Flowers’ remarks in a live Facebook video, two deputies and a locksmith entered a woman’s home in a gated community to evict her adult son. Flowers said there was court paperwork in place to move the man out. 

While in the entryway, the suspect allegedly grabbed a firearm and began firing indiscriminately, The Associated Press reports, and deputies returned fire; the suspect was reportedly struck multiple times. Deputy Terri Sweeting-Mashkow, 47, a 25-year-veteran of the department, was shot and died, the AP reports. She was posthumously promoted to sergeant, according to TC Palm. 

The locksmith assisting deputies with the eviction, 76-year-old David Long, was also hit and died of his injuries on Nov. 23, the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office announced. 

Another deputy, Florentino Arizpe, was shot in the shoulder and was later released from the hospital, the AP reports.

Authorities identified the alleged shooter as Michael Halberstam, 37, and the AP reports that he had recently been fired from his job at UPS. He also had previous charges for narcotics and misdemeanor assault. Flowers said Halbertstam had posted negative things about the sheriff’s office on social media. 

Halbertstam died at a hospital of his injuries Nov. 22, TC Palm reports.

Over the past month, the sheriff’s office had received seven calls for assistance from the home, and almost all were from Halbertstam’s mother about her son, according to the AP.

The sheriff’s office said they did not anticipate violence when they went to evict him, and the AP reports it’s unknown whether either deputy was wearing protective gear when they arrived at the home.

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