MELBOURNE, Fla. – A large law enforcement presence closed part of Interstate 95 in Brevard County Monday afternoon after a deputy was shot in the line of duty.
The Brevard County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that the deputy was shot in the leg, but is expected to survive and make a full recovery.
Part of Interstate 95 in Brevard County was closed for the investigation following the shooting.
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“At one point during the traffic stop the passenger at the back seat of the car with a two-month-old baby was contained was asked to exit the vehicle at which time he immediately exited and produced a short stock rifle when he began firing at the deputy closest to him,” Sheriff Wayne Ivey said.
A large law enforcement presence could be seen on Florida Department of Transportation cameras near U.S. 192 and Simon Road. The exit ramp to U.S. 192 was also shut down, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Deputy Chief Michael DeMorat with Brevard County Sheriff’s Office said the incident began as a traffic stop after 1 p.m. The shooting happened along U.S. 192, just west of I-95, in the West Melbourne area.
DeMorat said two deputies were on the scene when a man in the vehicle that was stopped opened fire. The deputies returned fire killing the shooter. Investigators said a 2-month-old baby was in the car at the time of the shooting.
“By the grace of God and their training — they did what they were trained to do — and we don’t have two funerals this week of two Central Florida law enforcement officers,” DeMorat said.
Deputies said the shooter has a criminal history.
“I promise you that when we release the dash cam footage from this deputy-involved shooting you are going to be outraged,” Ivey said.