PORT ST. LUCIE — A Port St. Lucie Police sergeant was shot twice in the face the night of Dec. 1 as officers investigated a disturbance in a Tradition community west of Interstate 95, according to police.
Police responded to an address in the 11000 block of Southwest Lake Park Drive in the Town Park at Tradition gated community for a disturbance shortly after 6 p.m.
St. Lucie County sheriff’s deputies and Port St.. Lucie police officers respond to a disturbance Dec. 1 on Southwest Lake Park Drive in the Town Park at Tradition community.
During the initial response and investigation, a man armed with a rifle approached, according to Officer Brandon Martinez, public information officer for the Police Department.
The man disregarded several verbal commands given through a police patrol vehicle’s PA system and began firing at several officers, Martinez said in a news release.
Officers returned fire, he said.
During the exchange of gunfire, 27-year veteran Sgt. Erik LeVasseur took two gunshots to the face. He was taken to HCA Florida Lawnwood Hospital in Fort Pierce and underwent surgery late at night, Port St. Lucie Police Chief Leo Niemczyk has said.
LeVasseur was out of surgery Dec. 2 and “being evaluated by the hospital team,” said Lt. Joseph Norkus.
The medical staff at Lawnwood is optimistic about LeVasseur’s recovery, according to the news release.
Suspect Frankie Salvatore Riccio, 32, had opened fire a second time and attempted to flank officers, who were using a patrol vehicle as cover. He repositioned himself and fired at officers at close range. Officers returned fire, striking Riccio. He died on scene.
“Law enforcement is actively investigating the circumstances and has secured the scene,” police stated.
At this time, there is no ongoing threat to the public or surrounding neighborhoods. The area has been secured by law enforcement, police said.
(This story was updated with news information.)
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Will Greenlee is a breaking news reporter for TCPalm. Follow Will on X @OffTheBeatTweet or reach him by phone at 772-267-7926. E-mail him at will.greenlee@tcpalm.com. Wicker Perlis is TCPalm’s Watchdog Reporter for St. Lucie County. You can reach him at wicker.perlis@tcpalm.com.
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: PSL sergeant injured, shooting suspect dead after disturbance in Tradition