A man was fatally shot by Orlando police officers early Friday morning after he allegedly charged at them while wielding a pair of scissors.
According to the Orlando Police Department, officers responded to the area of W Amelia Street and Chatham Avenue at around 3:40 a.m. on Friday, August 22, after receiving reports of a dispute involving several roommates.
While the officers were speaking with those roommates, a male suspect – described by police as a white man in his 40s – allegedly charged at the officers. An “edged weapon” was observed in his hand, which was later identified as scissors.
OPD stated that the suspect made a “slashing motion” with the scissors while charging towards the officers, and he allegedly ignored the officers’ commands to drop the weapon.
“When the suspect failed to comply, he was shot,” said OPD in a media release on Friday morning.
The suspect died at the scene from injuries sustained in the shooting.
Orlando police described the suspect’s alleged actions as a “completely unprovoked attack,” adding that he was not involved in the initial dispute between the roommates.
The suspect’s identity was not released by OPD. However, the agency stated that the suspect had a criminal history that included burglary with assault and battery, grand theft, and possession of methamphetamine.
The officers involved in the shooting were not hurt, and they have been placed on administrative leave while the Florida Department of Law Enforcement conducts an independent review of the incident. The results of that investigation will then be forwarded to the State Attorney’s Office for further review.
In addition, OPD will conduct its own internal investigation into the shooting.