3 killed in Indian River County shooting: What we know
Central Florida sees 3 police standoffs in almost as many days
Central Florida law enforcement responded to three separate police standoffs in almost as many days, including one that left three people dead. In Deltona, Volusia County deputies confronted a man armed with multiple weapons who was reportedly setting fires in the street on Patron Avenue. In Brevard County, an hours-long standoff in Titusville ended with the arrest of a man who police said had threatened family members—meanwhile, a shooting during an eviction in Indian River County on Friday left a deputy, a locksmith, and the suspect dead.
INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, Fla. - Three people died from a shooting that occurred last Friday while deputies were serving an eviction notice in Vero Beach.
In this shooting – which involved deputies with the Indian River County Sheriff's Office – a deputy, a locksmith and the suspect died.
What we know:
The shooting occurred on Nov. 21 at Bermuda Club – a gated community in Vero Beach, Florida – along AIA – while deputies were serving an eviction notice.
The sheriff's office said the deputies – with the office's Legal Process Civil Unit – were issuing an eviction notice to Michael Halberstam. The sheriff's office received seven calls for service – almost all from Halberstam's mom this month. Halberstam's mom was also on the scene during the shooting.
As the two deputies, one sergeant and a locksmith were in the entryway of the home, the suspect, Halberstam, grabbed a gun and began shooting at the deputies randomly, Indian River Sheriff Eric Flowers said.
Eviction shooting kills 3
Terri Sweeting-Mashkow
Terri Sweeting-Mashkow, 37, – a deputy with the sheriff's office for 25 years – died on the scene from her injuries. It's not known where Sweeting-Mashkow was shot or if she fired her service weapon at Halberstam.
Sheriff Flowers described Mashkow as an "amazing deputy" with a "beautiful heart."
Sweeting-Mashkow is the second line of duty death in the sheriff's office's 100-year history. Following her death, she received a promotion to sergeant.
Deputy Terri Mashkow, 47, was killed in a Nov. 21 shooting that occurred when deputies served an eviction notice at a Vero Beach home.
Sweeting-Mashkow was a devoted deputy, a loving mother, wife and a dedicated public servant – as she was a part of the K9 1 Training & Consulting and H.A.L.O. No-Kill Rescue family. Following her death, H.A.L.O. No-Kill Rescue and K9 1 Training & Consulting hosted a joint fundraiser to support her family during this time of loss.
"Terri embraced every dog she met with the same compassion and commitment she brought to her service as a deputy, with a big heart, gentle strength, and unwavering loyalty. Her loss is felt deeply across Indian River County, the animal rescue community, and all who had the privilege of knowing her," H.A.L.O. said.
David Long
David Long, 76, was the locksmith on the scene. He was in critical condition following the shooting and died from his injuries on Sunday after being transported to the hospital.
Long served Indian River County since the 1970s, during which he founded Benson's Lock Service with his brother George in 1977, Benson's Lock Service said in a Facebook post.
"Uncle David was a vital part of our community, a man who worked extremely hard each and every day to serve Indian River County and to provide for his family," the post said.
David Long, 76, a locksmith died in a Nov. 21 shooting while assisting an eviction notice with Indian River County deputies.
Sheriff Eric Flowers released a statement after Long's death, saying, "Our hearts are broken once again by this tragic news. David Long was a resident of our community, a dedicated professional who was simply doing his job when he was caught in an unthinkable act of violence. His loss, following Sergeant Mashkow's, is a reminder of the sacrifices made, not just by our sworn deputies, but by the everyday heroes who assist us. We extend our deepest sympathies to his family and friends during this incredibly difficult time."
Michael Halberstam, 37, shot at Indian River deputies when the came to his mother's residence for an eviction notice on Nov. 21. He died on Nov. 22.
Michael Halberstam
The suspect, Michael Halberstam, 37, died on Saturday, Nov. 22 – one day after the shooting. Following the incident, Halberstam was transported to the hospital with critical injuries.
Flowers said Halberstam has two previous charges out of Virginia—a 2006 narcotics charge and a 2015 misdemeanor assault charge. According to officials, Halberstam was fired from his job at UPS.
Investigators also discovered "strange posts" from Halberstam on social media, Flowers said. Halberstam reportedly made "terrible" comments about his former employer, and he had also posted "negative items" about the sheriff’s office on his Facebook page.
1 injured, 2 not injured in shooting
Tino Arizpe
Indian River Deputy Tino Arizpe was shot in the shoulder during the shooting. He was released from the hospital on Sunday, Nov. 23 and is at home recovering, the sheriff's office said.
Gary Farless
Sgt. Gary Farless was not injured in the shooting. Sheriff Flowers said Farless did fire his weapon at Halberstam. Farless was placed on administrative leave, following the shooting and during the ongoing investigation.
"This is standard procedure for any member involved in such an incident and remains in place while the investigation is ongoing," a Indian River Sheriff's Office spokesperson said. At this time, there is no confirmed date for his return to duty, which will depend on the completion of the investigative and review processes.
Halberstam's mom
The suspect's mom was not hurt in the shooting, the sheriff's office said. The mom was on scene, but outside the home during the eviction, which is standard, the sheriff said on Nov. 21.
The Source: Information in this story was gathered by the Indian River County Sheriff's Office and previous reporting.