A sheriff’s deputy in Indian River County, Florida, was shot and killed on Friday morning during an eviction at a gated community in Vero Beach, in what authorities say is only the second line-of-duty death for the agency in 100 years.
Deputy Terri Mashkow, 47, a 25-year veteran of the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office, was fatally wounded on Friday morning when gunfire erupted during what Sheriff Eric Flowers described as a routine assignment. Two other deputies were also shot and remain in hospital.
The incident took place in the 1100 block of Governors Way in Vero Beach, around 140 miles north of Miami. Sheriff Flowers said the officers had been carrying out an eviction requested by the suspect’s family members when the shooting began.
“This is not someone that was on our radar – this was our standard call for service, the eviction, the regular duties that our officers do day in and day out,” Flowers told reporters at a press conference.
The suspect has been identified as Michael Halberstam, described as being in his late 30s. He was shot by deputies, underwent surgery, and is now in critical condition, the sheriff said.
Authorities confirmed that Halberstam has a prior criminal record in Virginia, and that police had responded to at least one previous call for service at the residence.
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier said he learned of the shooting as he began a news conference on Friday morning, posting on X: “We are praying for the brave officers who put their lives on the line to protect Florida and our families.”
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis also confirmed that three deputies had been shot.