Video shows the deadly encounter between a Broward Sheriff’s Office deputy and a man who stepped out of a home with a gun to his head near Fort Lauderdale late Sunday.
The footage was released as the man’s family is asking why authorities had to fire.
His family identified him Monday as 37-year-old Edward Jerrell Dolison, a father of nine children.
Family Photo
Family Photo
Edward Jerrell Dolison
According to BSO, there were reports of a possible disturbance involving a man, possibly under the influence of drugs, walking around with a firearm in the 2500 block of Northwest 9th Court, where children were around.
Witnesses told deputies that the man went back inside his house while still armed and that two other people were inside the home.
A perimeter was then established, and deputies urged Dolison to come out.
Video taken from outside the home shows Dolison walking out of the residence, holding a gun to his head. He then walks back inside. Armed deputies can be seen approaching the home, including one pointing a gun at an open doorway.
Deputies said that Dolison fired his gun, which prompted a deputy to return fire. Multiple shots were heard.
After the shots were fired, deputies entered the home and found Dolison on the floor in the living room, and a firearm was in his hand.
“BSO deputies quickly responded to the scene and made contact with this armed individual,” BSO Public Information Office spokesperson Miranda Grossman said. “At some point during contact, shots were fired and the subject was pronounced deceased on scene.”
During a search of the home, two guns were found, one having its serial number scratched out.
Family told NBC6 that Dolison was a father and had mental health issues. Through tears, his wife said she witnessed the shooting.
“He was just such an inspiration, such a happy man. So full of life, it’s such a tragic thing, they killed him,” she said. “He was the best father. He had nine beautiful children and Ioves each and every one of them.”
The man’s cousin, Shakira McFadden, captured video of the tense encounter from outside the home.
“He runs in the house, he leaves the door open, so you’re not worried about him killing his wife, ’cause the door’s open, you can see,” McFadden said. “He’s on the wall with the gun to his head. It never was pointed at you. Why was the first bullet through the head?”
Officials said no other injuries were reported.
The deputy who discharged his weapon was placed on administrative assignment as the investigation continues.
An autopsy of Dolison’s body will be done by the Broward County Medical Examiner’s Office to determine the cause of death.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is expected to take over the investigation, which is standard whenever there is a police-involved shooting.
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