In brief
In a shocking incident near Vero Beach, Deputy Terri Sweeting-Mashkow was killed and another deputy was injured while serving an eviction notice. The suspected gunman, Michael Halberstam, later succumbed to his injuries. This incident marks a somber moment for the Indian River County Sheriff's Office as they mourn the loss of a dedicated officer.
VERO BEACH, Fla. — A gunman involved in a deadly confrontation with law enforcement in Florida has died from injuries sustained during the incident. Michael Halberstam, 37, opened fire on Indian River County deputies and a locksmith on Friday while they were executing an eviction notice at a home where his mother sought to evict him.
During the exchange, Deputy Terri Sweeting-Mashkow was tragically killed, while another deputy was shot in the shoulder and a locksmith remains in critical condition after surgery, according to HCA Florida Lawnwood Hospital.
Indian River County Sheriff Eric Flowers shared that the sheriff's office had previously received several calls from the residence, most involving Halberstam's mother expressing concerns about her son. Despite the history, deputies did not anticipate violence when they arrived that day, which Sheriff Flowers called a routine service call.
'This was a standard call for service,' Flowers stated during a news conference. He also mentioned there was nothing in Halberstam's criminal record that would have indicated he should be disarmed.
As the community grieves the loss of Deputy Sweeting-Mashkow, who dedicated 25 years to the sheriff's office, she has been posthumously promoted to sergeant, honoring her service and sacrifice.
