PORT ST. LUCIE – The Port St. Lucie Police sergeant who was shot twice in the face during an altercation on Dec. 1 in Tradition remains in critical condition at HCA Florida Lawnwood Hospital in Fort Pierce, police confirmed on Dec. 2.

Sgt. Erik LaVasseur, a 27-year veteran officer of the Port St. Lucie Police Department, was shot twice in the face during a mental health-related neighbor dispute at the 11000 block of Southwest Lake Park Drive, Port St. Lucie in the Town Park at Tradition gated community in Port St. Lucie on Dec. 1. The suspect, Frankie Salvatore Riccio, 32, who fired the shots which injured LaVasseur, was killed by gunfire from Port St. Lucie police, according to police reports.

LeVasseur was among six officers who responded at about 6:08 p.m., regarding a reported disturbance, according to police reports. None of the other officers were injured although a couple of them were transported as a matter of caution, Chief Chief Leon Niemczyk said.

Riccio, who disregarded several verbal commands given through a police patrol vehicle’s PA system, began firing with what is believed to have been an AK-47 assault rifle at several of the officers, who returned fire, according to police reports. During the exchange, Lavasseur was shot twice in the face.

LaVasseur had a second surgery at Lawnwood on Dec. 2 to repair his facial injuries, according to police reports.

His jaw was wired shut for recovery and a tracheostomy was done to keep his airway secure. He is currently in a medically induced coma, according to police reports.

Doctors confirmed the presence of shrapnel in his retina, which requires removal by a specialized surgical team. Arrangements are being made to transport LeVasseur to an alternate trauma center equipped to perform the procedure, police said. Following that operation, he is expected to return to Lawnwood for continued care and convalescence, police said.

The Fraternal Order of Police and the Sergeant’s Union are actively supporting the family and is providing additional guidance on appropriate ways for members of the police department and community to assist while respecting the family’s privacy, according to police reports.