Sheriff: Deputy fatally shot man who stabbed person to death

Author: The Associated Press
Published:
MGN

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) – A deputy shot and killed a man who had fatally stabbed a man and wounded a woman in suburban West Palm Beach, Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw said.

Two deputies responded to an “assault in progress” call Wednesday night at the home and found a man lying on the driveway in a pool of blood, Bradshaw said. Another man was pacing around holding a large machete.

The sheriff said that one deputy retrieved a stun gun to subdue the man while the other deputy was checking on the man on the ground. The deputies repeatedly ordered the man to drop the machete.

“He wouldn’t put the knife down and then he turned, raised the machete and charged towards the deputy who was standing over the gentleman on the ground, protecting him to see if he was still alive,” Bradshaw said.

The deputy fired, killing the knife-wielding man. The other man also died at the scene and the woman was taken to the hospital. Her condition wasn’t immediately available.

No deputies were injured.

Bradshaw said the machete’s blade was between 18 and 24 inches long.

Neighbors say the shooting happened around 8:30 p.m. and that they heard six to seven gunshots.

Bradshaw did not release the identities of anyone involved in the shooting.

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