One deputy is dead and multiple others are injured following a shooting in Indian River County, Vero Beach Mayor John Cotugno confirmed to TCPalm.
The deceased deputy, Terri Mashkow, 47, with 25 years of service, died in line of duty, and was killed in a Bermuda Club community residence, while responding to an eviction. Another deputy, Tino Arizpe, was shot in the shoulder and a locksmith is in critical condition, according to Sheriff Eric Flowers in a news conference held at noon.
Those injured were transported to HCA Florida Lawnwood Hospital. Deputy Arizpe is in stabilized condition, and both the locksmith and the shooting suspect, Michael Halberstam, remain in critical condition, according to Alex Hagan, hospital spokesperson.
Procession for Deputy Terri Mashkow ends at medical examiner’s office
While the community gathered to watch the procession of the slain deputy and hold American flags as patrol vehicles drive by, members of law enforcement gathered in front of the medical examiner’s office and went inside around 7:20 p.m.
Members of local law enforcement agencies participated in the procession, including Fort Pierce Police Department, Sebastian Police Department and Martin County Sheriff’s Office. South 35th Street has been reopened to allow traffic through again.
Procession of Deputy Terri Mashkow moves through I-95, includes first responders, motorcycles, more
There were around 100 vehicles in the initial procession consisting of mostly unmarked law enforcement vehicles and marked IRCSO vehicles along with multiple motorcycles. Multiple fire rescue vehicles and engines lined State Road A1A. Several law enforcement and fire rescue agencies were seen at the gathering site, including ATF and FDLE, among others.
Indian River County law enforcement, first responders line up for procession of slain deputy
Law enforcement personnel and first responders lined up on foot along the neighborhood access drive ahead of the procession. It set out north on State Road A1A just before 6 p.m.
Dozens of law enforcement vehicles led by motorcycles and followed with an ambulance all set out on their route to Fort Pierce. At 6:15 it was passing Sebastian River High School on the way to I-95.
Brevard County Sheriff’s Office sends deputies, other resources to Indian River County to assist
Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey said in a social media post that in response to the shooting, his agency has sent various resources including deputy sheriffs and supervisors to assist with responding to calls for service from the community, as the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office is focused on the critical incident.
“Our law enforcement officers put their lives on the line each and every day, as they work to protect their communities and our hearts go out to Sheriff Flowers, his entire agency and their entire community,” Ivey said.
Bermuda Club residents, neighbors react to deadly shooting that killed deputy, injured others
Carol Robertson was standing along with several others gathered near the Bermuda Club, Somerset Bay entrance around 5:30 pm. As a five year Somerset Bay resident she said, “It’s terrible. This never happens here.”
Robertson said she along with her three visiting family members had been prevented from returning to her home since roughly 10 a.m.
“It’s an absolute tragedy,” said Kerry Adams, whose family has lived in Bermuda Club for years. “My heart goes out to everybody.”
Adams went to Bermuda Club Friday morning to check on her mother and stepfather after hearing about the shooting. Law enforcement kept onlookers away from the home of the shooting, she said. Residents were told to stay in their homes. No vehicles were allowed into the community, she said.
“I’m thinking, this is where my parents live. This is where I come on vacation and stay. What is going on,” Adams said. “It is unbelievable in a sleepy nice little town such as Vero Beach. It’s crazy.”
Adams said her mother and stepfather, who live in the community, were doing all right. She said she did not know the suspect.
Across the street from the community where the deadly shooting occurred, Taylor Clark, 30, stopped her bicycle as a host of law enforcement vehicles and law enforcement personnel were on the opposite side of the road. Clark said she lives nearby. “There’s no reason for it,” she said. “I think it’s horrible.”
She said this shakes her faith in the safety of the community. “I think it’s bizarre,” Clark said. “I think it’s very, very, very strange.” Told the age of the alleged gunman and that he was being evicted from his home, Clark said, “That’s even more unexpected.”
Community members, IRCSO officials wait for procession of slain Deputy Terri Mashkow to pass by
A handful of people towards the late afternoon, including Indian River County sheriff’s officials, waited on the Oslo Road overpass of interstate 95 for the procession of Deputy Terri Mashkow to pass by.
Sally Rogers, 52, and her husband, came out and used plastic ties to hang a large American flag from a chain link fence above the southbound lanes.
Sally Rogers said she came out here with the flag “because I’m on the right side of the law.”
“They have a hard job to do, honestly, and their families have a hard task as well. Every time they leave, just like Terri’s, not knowing if she’s going to come home at the end of the day.”
Law enforcement procession to escort IRCSO Deputy Terri Mashkow’s body to medical examiner
The body of 25-year veteran Indian River County Sheriff’s Deputy Terri Mashkow, 47, who died in the line of duty Nov. 21, will be escorted by a multitude of law enforcement vehicles to the medical examiner’s office in Fort Pierce.
The route, expected to start from Wabasso sometime after 3:30 p.m. is:
∎West on County Road 510 to CR 512
∎West to Interstate 95
∎South to Okeechobee Road
∎ East to the 19th District Medical Examiner’s Office at 2500 s 35th St., Fort Pierce.
Florida officials react to the death of deputy in Vero Beach shooting
Florida officials and community members are responding to the death of Terri Mashkow, after the deputy was killed in the line of duty while responding to an eviction at Bermuda Club.
“My prayers are with the family and the Sheriff’s Office of the Indian River County deputy who was tragically killed in the line of duty this morning. May this hero rest in peace,” Rep. Brian Mast, R-Fort Pierce, said in a Facebook post.
“Tragic news coming out of Indian River County as Deputy Mashkow, who served faithfully for 25 years, lost her life in the line of duty today, and another deputy was injured. Please join Ann and me in keeping the entire Indian River County Sheriff’s Office in your prayers,” Sen. Rick Scott said in a Facebook post.
My wife, Stephanie, and I are heartbroken for the family of the deputy killed and the officers wounded in Indian River County today. We are praying for them, and for the entire law enforcement community, and urge all residents to rally behind those who serve and protect us,” Rep. Mike Haridopolos, R-Melbourne, said in a Facebook post.
IRCSO Capt. Angela Rosado Jones, said of Deputy Mashkow, “She was an awesome person, always giving hugs.”
Deputy Terri Mashkow is second line-of-duty death in Sheriff’s Office’s 100-year history
Deputy Terri Mashkow, 47, was fatally shot shortly before 8:57 a.m. at 1137 Governor’s Way, Vero Beach, Sheriff Eric Flowers said during an early afternoon press conference. Michael Halberstam shot her during an active eviction, he said.
She died during what Sheriff Eric Flowers described as an “everyday Club development south of the Wabasso Causeway, according to Sheriff Eric Flowers.
She was the second line-of-duty-death in the Sheriff’s Office’s 100-year history, Flowers said.
“She died a hero'” said George Mashkow in Palm Bay, who identified himself as Terri Mashkow’s father-in-law. He said some of the family are on a cruise and are arranging to return to the area.
Shooting suspect Michael Halberstam in critical condition
Those injured were transported to HCA Florida Lawnwood Hospital. Deputy Tino Arizpe is in stabilized condition, and both the locksmith and the shooting suspect, Michael Halberstam, remain in critical condition, according to Alex Hagan, hospital spokesperson.
The suspect is in surgery at HCA Florida Lawnwood Hospital.
Eviction at Bermuda Club on Orchid Island led to shooting
The shooting occurred during a standard call to service, as a mother was trying to evict her son from Bermuda Club on Orchid Island, Flowers said during the news conference.
Halberstam has criminal record out of Virginia. An eviction can be tense, on occasion deputies encounter someone in distress. In this case, the person was shooting indiscriminately, Flowers said.
Deputies fired at the accused shooter multiple times. The mother of the suspect was outside during the shooting.
The Bermuda Club Somerset Bay community is off A1A, just south of Disney’s Vero Beach resort. Residents of nearby communities and those who use the A1A sidewalk daily for walking, jogging and bicycling expressed shock at the shooting occurring in the quiet neighborhood.
“There’s never anything that goes on in there,” said Noah Lavender, who does property maintenance at a nearby home. Lavender used to take care of properties inside Bermuda Club. It’s a quiet place, he said. “It’s like every other neighborhood on beachside.”
Emergency vehicles seen beachside, south of Wabasso Causeway
At least nine emergency vehicles were seen rushing along Old Dixie Highway northbound toward County Road 510 before 9 a.m. Nov. 21.
Police cars and ambulances were seen beachside, south of Wabasso Causeway on State Road A1A.
“We are aware of an officer involved shooting in Indian River County,” said Attorney General James Uthmeier on the social media platform X. “We are praying for the brave officers who put their lives on the line to protect Florida and our families.”
An air ambulance landed and left the Indian River County Fairgrounds on 58th Avenue, and a Martin County Fire Rescue helicopter was spotted there.
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: 1 deputy dead, several injured in Vero Beach shooting
Reporting by Laura Lemmon, Hana Khalyleh, Colleen Wixon, J.D. Gallop, Jack Randall, Will Greenlee, Crystal Vander Weit, Olivia Franklin, Corey Arwood and Kaila Jones, Treasure Coast Newspapers / Treasure Coast Newspapers
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
