The Sheriff issued an update on the Brindaban Forest shooting in the 2800 block of NW 47th Terrace.
The alleged shooter is Paul Wier, 50. He had no prior encounters with law enforcement in Okeechobee.
A 2004 aggravated battery and grand theft case resulted in a not guilty by reason of insanity verdict in Palm Beach County.
The victims family invoked Marcy’s Law to withhold the names of the two victims.
Wier was shot and killed by Okeechobee deputies after he fired shots at them.
Sheriff Noel Stephen called the shooting a shocking and senseless act. He said the shooting left the neighborhood and the community shaken and the families grieving.
He said he thought his deputies took the proper actions and likely saved lives Sunday.
FDLE continues to investigate the police related shooting. That means five deputies are off the road along with many of their vehicles, which can tax a small agency like Okeechobee’s as other deputies will work longer shifts to cover the hours.
“It is bitter sweet that we lost two pour souls but we could have lost a whole lot more if it were not for the quick, precise and precision response from my officers.”
Stephen said witnesses and neighbors reported no prior conflicts or incidents involving Wier and anyone in the neighborhood.
“There were no indicators that we didn’t see or missed that could have foretold what happened on that day. He chose to not be here anymore, he wanted to go out with a bang, take others with him, and have somebody else take his life for him.”
The victim in Wednesday mornings crash on 710 four miles outside town was a Martin County deputy.
Shawn Green had worked 25 years for the agency in road patrol, corrections and most recently court security.
The MCSO released a statement about the death.
“He leaves behind a young daughter, loving siblings, devoted parents, and a large, loving extended family both by blood and badge that loved him deeply. He was a loyal friend and a respected colleague. Please keep his family, loved ones, and the members of our agency in your prayers as we grieve this heartbreaking loss.”
Two Osceola County sheriff employees were arrested recently for accessing computer systems and electronic databases without proper authorization.
Sheriff Chris Blackmon identified former deputy Kyle Henry and digital evidence specialist Cassandra Wirthlin as the two employees that face felony charges.
He said there is an audit being performed on the agency and its financial books and should be completed in 60-90 days.
He promised full transparency of the agency.
He was appointed Sheriff by the Governor after the arrest of Marcos Lopez on gambling charges.
Criminal charges were dropped against a Moore Haven man, Rondareontae Hunter, related to shooting a firearm into an Okeechobee residence on October 19, 2022.
Hunter had faced charges that include shooting or throwing a deadly missile, several counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, discharging a firearm in public, criminal mischief and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
The arrest report noted the shooting took place at 872 SE 36th Terrace. Deputies found two bullet holes in the window on the northside of the home.
There was no one injured in the shooting.
The arrest affidavit also said one of the teens who lived at the home had an argument with a girlfriend. There was some kind of fist fight, some threats were made and a girl reported she had been sexually battered.
Hunter, the girls cousin, was said to have drove her to the victims house in Okeechobee. The unnamed girl said she saw Hunter get out of the vehicle, and she thought he fired a shot at the house because he had a gun.
The city of Port St. Lucie continues to grow westward.
The council discussed existing annexation areas and the future roads that need to be built.
The northwest annexation area west of Glades Cut-Off Road already includes 5,000 acres of land, 14,000 residential units, 3 million square feet of retail space, and 2 million square feet of office space.
St. Lucie County approved last week another phase of the Oak Village Ranches Project. This phase includes 20 acres and 176 town homes.
Eventually the project will include 8,600 homes.
Port St. Lucie and St. Lucie County officials have proposed to meet in September to discuss the issues involving the growth that is moving west.