PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (CBS12) — The Port St. Lucie Police Department will hold a press conference on Friday at 3:30 p.m. to provide an update on Sergeant Erik Levasseur, who was critically injured in the line of duty on December 1, 2025.
Levasseur was released from HCA Florida Lawnwood Hospital on Wednesday and continues his recovery at home, according to PSLPD.
On Dec. 1, 2025, 32-year-old Frankie Salvatore Riccio emerged from a garage in a Port St. Lucie neighborhood, armed with an AK-47-style rifle and opened fire. LeVasseur was struck twice in the face—one bullet near his nose and another beneath it—injuries that narrowly avoided major arteries and brain trauma. Officers returned fire, discharging 62 rounds in a firefight that ended with Riccio dead at the scene.
LeVasseur was rushed to a nearby hospital, where surgeons stabilized his airway and repaired facial injuries. He later underwent eye surgery to remove shrapnel and, on December 9, doctors extracted additional bullet fragments. Reconstructive and eye surgeries were also planned to improve his outlook.
Medical staff confirmed no brain damage. On December 15, PSLPD announced his transfer to a confidential rehabilitation facility, emphasizing that the move was appropriate for his recovery and that privacy remains a priority.
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Chief Leo Niemczyk and department representatives are expected to share details about Levasseur’s condition and next steps during the briefing at police headquarters. The department emphasized that, per the family’s wishes, all media inquiries should be directed to the Public Information Office.
Levasseur’s injury drew widespread support from the community and law enforcement agencies across the state. Friday’s update is anticipated to shed light on his progress and the department’s plans moving forward.