Deputy Involved Shooting – I95 just North of Lantana Road, Lantana – PBSO

February 7, 2018

Time: 9:35 am

1^st Location: 1600 block S. Dixie Highway, Lake Worth

2^nd Location: Northbound I95 just north of Lantana Road, Lantana

Deputies responded to a shooting that occurred in 1600 block of S. Dixie Highway, Lake Worth.  Upon arrival deputies learned that a male suspect shot a female. The suspect put the female victim in his car and fled the scene before deputies arrived.

Further investigation determined the suspect drove to Southern Blvd and entered I95 northbound driving at a high rate of speed in a southerly direction.  The suspect’s vehicle, black SUV (Nissan Rogue), drove into oncoming traffic causing three separate crashes. The suspect’s vehicle became disabled after the third crash and began to catch fire.  Deputies and a FHP trooper made contact with the suspect ordering him out of the vehicle.  The FHP trooper attempted to subdue the suspect by using his department issued Taser which had NO effect on the suspect.  Due to the suspect’s mannerisms our deputy feared for his life and the life of his partner, FHP trooper, discharged his department issued firearm striking the suspect.  The suspect was pronounced deceased on scene.  Due to the car catching fire the female passenger, previously shot by the suspect, was immediately removed from the vehicle by PBSO deputies.  She was also pronounced deceased on scene.

PBSO Crisis Team which consists of detectives from the Violent Crimes Division, Crime Scene Investigators, Internal Affairs Investigators and legal staff responded to the scene to investigate further.  Also on scene; investigators from the State Attorney’s Office, FDLE and PBA union representatives.

PBSO deputy involved in the shooting is on paid admin leave which is standard department protocol.

PBSO will be investigating the shooting/homicide that occurred in the 1600 block of S. Dixie Highway, Lake Worth and the three crashes that occurred on I95.

FDLE will investigate the deputy involved shooting.

Investigators received information that the suspect was involved in a shooting that occurred in the City of West Palm Beach on Tuesday, February 6, 2018 and a shooting that occurred early this morning, February 7, 2018 in the City of Boynton Beach.  Please reach out to the respective public information officers for additional information.

ANYONE who may have witnessed this incident is urged to contact PBSO detectives at 688-3400.

The northbound lanes of I95 have reopened.

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This is the gun the suspect used in the homicide shooting of the female earlier this morning, 1600 Block of S. Dixie Highway, Lake Worth.

In addition, I95 between Lantana Road and 6^th Ave should be OPEN by 5 pm or shortly thereafter.