ST. LUCIE COUNTY – A man is dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound following a domestic dispute on Oct. 17 at a home in the 7600 block of Winter Garden Boulevard, Lakewood Park near Fort Pierce, according to a St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office Facebook posting.
At approximately 10:17 a.m., Oct. 17, deputies responded to a reported domestic violence incident at the home.
Upon arrival, deputies encountered a man in the front yard who retreated into the residence after seeing law enforcement.
Deputies subsequently made contact with a man and a woman at the front door. During that interaction, a deputy saw what appeared to be a firearm in the man’s possession and ordered him to drop the weapon, according to the Facebook posting.
Instead, the man closed the door and retreated into the residence, resulting in a barricaded-subject situation with other occupants still inside, according to the Facebook posting.
Throughout the incident, the man exited the residence several times, indicating he would surrender after making a telephone call, but repeatedly retreated inside.
During his final retreat into the residence, deputies heard what appeared to be a gunshot, according to the Facebook posting.
Deputies then went into the home believing that a woman and children were inside the home and could be in immediate danger.
The people were evacuated from the home through a side window and deputies found the man dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The sheriff’s office noted that there is no threat to the community.
The scene remains active, and detectives with its Criminal Investigations Division, Crime Scene technicians, and investigators from the Medical Examiner’s Office remained on scene for several hours conducting an investigation into the circumstances surrounding this incident.
“We appreciate the community’s patience and cooperation throughout this law enforcement response,” the sheriff’s office said in its Facebook posting. “On behalf of Sheriff Richard R. Del Toro Jr. and the entire St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office, we extend our sincere condolences to the family and friends of the deceased during this difficult time.”
Anyone struggling with mental health issues can reach out to 211 of the Treasure Coast at 211palmbeach.org; call 561-383-1112 or 866-882-2991; or text your ZIP Code to 898211, 24 hours a day/seven days a week.