Officer shoots, kills armed man during domestic incident

Author: Associated Press
Published:
MGN

NORTH PORT, Fla. (AP) – Sarasota County Sheriff’s officials say a North Port police officer killed an armed 53-year-old man during a domestic disturbance.

A report says Officer Mike Laden was trying to negotiate by cellphone with James Smillie, who was involved in a dispute with two family members inside a house Saturday night. Laden told his supervisors Smillie had slipped out of the house and walked through neighboring yards.

Laden says Smillie pointed a rifle at him and demanded the officer drop a backpack and flashlight. Smillie obeyed Laden’s commands to drop the rifle, but as other officers responded to the scene to assist Laden, Smillie reached for additional weapons visible in his shorts. Laden fired at Smillie, killing him.

Laden has been placed on paid administrative leave while the case is ongoing.

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