FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. (WSVN) - The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating a police-involved shooting in Fort Lauderdale that left an armed man dead.
Fort Lauderdale Police officers responded to a disturbance call of a man waving a gun at Galt Ocean Markeplace, a shopping plaza along A1A and Northeast 40th Street, just after 9 p.m., Sunday.
Responding officers located a man armed with a gun, officials said.
“Two cops pulled up at first, told the two men to disperse,” said witness James Clark. “The man was acting erratic. One guy left. The other guy stood here, kept putting his hands up.”
Witnesses said the man discharged the firearm, and the officers opened fire, striking him.
“Police told him to freeze, he didn’t. Police drew their firearms, and they shot him,” said Clark.
It is unclear how many officers fired shots at the man.
“I heard, what sounded like to me, firecrackers. As if somebody had lit off firecrackers, a few of them at a time — quite a few,” said another witness. “This is a safe neighborhood. I mean, normally it’s very, very quiet. I was very shocked.”
“I heard one loud one at first and then several,” said Clark.
A 7News viewer recorded cellphone video of a heavy police presence at the plaza and yellow caution tape blocking off the area.
“They’re doing CPR on somebody,” a man is heard saying in the video.
The man was transported to Broward Health Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.
No officers were injured in the shooting.
The following morning, several storefront windowpanes could be seen with apparent bullet holes, while others were left completely shattered. By Monday afternoon, they had been boarded up with plywood.
Several evidence marks could also be seen at the plaza.
“It’s crazy,” said Clark. “I mean, everything going on around right now, everybody is so anxious, and it’s sad.”
Officials have not released the gunman’s identity. His motive remains unclear.
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