WEST PALM BEACH, FLA. (WSVN) - An off-duty Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office(PBSO) corrections deputy shot and killed Monday evening in what investigators are calling a targeted attack.
The shooting happened in the Belle Glade neighborhood of the county.
Deputies identified the victim as Deputy Basil Powell and said the shooter was lying in wait when he arrived home from work around 7:30p.m. The suspect apparently opened fire as he was getting out of his car.
When deputies responded to reports of shots fired they found the 39-year-old suffering from several gunshot wounds. Deputy Powell was airlifted to Saint Mary’s Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries shortly after.
A procession of officers was later seen leaving the hospital, escorting a hearse carrying the deputy’s body. It was then taken to the medical examiner’s office.
The department not releasing any further details, including a motive, or any information about the suspect but they did say they are distraught.
While officials said this was targeted, they do not believe it is related to his job as a corrections officer. The shooting remains under investigation.
Please check back on WSVN.com and 7News for more details on this developing story.
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