Florida, March 21: Two undercover sheriff’s detectives fatally shot a 19-year-old man Saturday (Sunday AEDT), hours after the teen shot and killed two men at a party and critically wounded a third in a dispute over a woman, authorities have told media in Florida.
Officers had been searching for Alexander Blaine Epstein since he emerged as a suspect in a triple shooting at a party in Clearwater, sheriff’s spokeswoman Cecilia Barreda told the Tampa Tribune.
About 4.20pm Saturday (11.20am Sunday AEDT), an undercover detective was in his vehicle when Epstein walked out of an apartment at 655 Poinsettia Ave. and headed straight toward him, Barreda said.
The detective shot Epstein after he refused to drop his weapon.
Myfoxtampabay.com identified those shot earlier at the party as 22-year-old Ibrahim Kamara, 20-year-old Benjamin Kubes, and 20-year-old Dennis Miyawa. The first two victims were killed, while Miyawa is in a critical condition in hospital.
Epstein has a lengthy arrest record, including charges of child abuse, robbery, fleeing and eluding a law enforcement agent and possession of crack, Barreda said.
“It appears to have been over a girl,” Barreda said.
Both deputies involved in the shooting have been placed on paid administrative leave while the incident is investigated.
—Agencies