FDLE: Shooting of New Port Richey man justified
NEW PORT RICHEY - The fatal shooting of a 42-year-old man last year by a New Port Richey police officer after the man lunged at authorities with a butcher's knife was justified, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement has concluded.
Around 7:20 p.m. on Nov. 14, authorities responded to a domestic disturbance call at 6130 Corson Ave. They found Mark Brooks Lee outside his apartment complex, ranting and holding a butcher's knife.
Lee ran toward New Port Richey officers, the FDLE report said, his eyes focused on Cpl. Matt Berry. Berry repeatedly told Lee to drop the knife, the FDLE report said, but Lee continued heading toward Berry and cursing.
Berry drew his gun and shot Lee twice in the torso, killing him.
Camille C. Spencer, Times staff writer
*
This Just In offers local breaking news, traffic reports and weather conditions from the staff of the St. Petersburg Times and tampabay.com. Check back often for the latest news from around the Tampa Bay area.
Never bring a knife to a gun fight...
Posted by: Jason A. | Thursday, January 08, 2009 at 02:40 PM
quick draw magraw on the job good going shows they do train for these kind of events
Posted by: Bobcat | Thursday, January 08, 2009 at 04:53 PM
Well at least we dont have to worry about moron boy making the same mistake twice! And since they were already at thos apartments, Couldnt they have shot some more lowlifes? I mean they are paid by the hour and not by bodies!
Posted by: Oh No it's MONGO | Thursday, January 08, 2009 at 08:52 PM
God Bless America
Posted by: LOUISTHETERRIBLE | Friday, January 09, 2009 at 01:05 AM
Arent they trained to shoot them in the leg or somewhere without killing people. Perhaps guy was in the wrong but killing him doesnt teahc him a lesson, he should have went ot prison to have a taste of abuse!!
Posted by: Natasha | Saturday, January 10, 2009 at 03:01 PM