AUBURNDALE, Fla. (AP) — A central Florida deputy shot a man to death during a standoff after authorities say the man pointed a stapler at the deputy.
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said deputies responded to a call Monday about suspected drug activity at an Auburndale home. Officials say 34-year-old Dominic Fuller, who was suspected in a shooting earlier this month, fled on foot as deputies approached.
He told a news conference that Fuller was seen trying to open doors of cars and homes and was heard by one witness yelling, “I have a gun.” Deputies eventually found Fuller outside a home, and ran inside, according to the sheriff.
After repeated commands to surrender, Judd said, Fuller showed only his left hand while keeping the right hand hidden behind his back.
Judd said Fuller went back inside, then emerged and pointed a black and chrome object at the deputy. Police say the deputy feared for his life and fired five times. The object turned out to be a stapler.
Local media reports said Fuller had been arrested 17 times on 32 charges, including assault with a deadly weapon, armed robbery, carjacking and child abuse.
“We don’t choose to shoot people. People choose for us to shoot them,” Judd said, adding that Fuller had set up “a perfect storm.”
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IF, what is being reported is true, (that the suspect went inside, got his stapler and pointed it towards the deputy) then he deserved to be shot. With an armed robbery charges this is someone you can’t take chances with.
Are they sure it wasn’t Milton Waddams?
Sure sounds like Suicide By Cop.
If so, I sure hope the officer gets strong after-incident support. No decent individual wants to take another person’s life.
It sounds like suicide by cop to me as well. We have a witness who heard the guy claim he had a gun.
Yes, as others have pointed out, looks like suicide by cop.