Brevard County sheriff’s deputies shot and killed a 79-year-old man during a welfare check in Mims, Florida, on Saturday evening, October 11. The man, whose name has not been released, pointed a handgun that had been concealed in his wheelchair at deputies around 7:55 p.m. during what authorities described as a Baker Act welfare check on Pine Avenue in the Spruce Hills neighborhood.
TL;DR: Deputies conducting the check encountered the armed man, who aimed the concealed handgun at them; the deputies fired, striking him. He was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The deputies involved have been placed on administrative leave while the shooting remains under investigation.
A Welfare Check on Pine Avenue
Just before 8 p.m. on Saturday, deputies went to a home on Pine Avenue in the Spruce Hills neighborhood of Mims to conduct a Baker Act welfare check. During the encounter, the 79-year-old man, who uses a wheelchair, pointed a handgun he had kept concealed in the wheelchair at the deputies, according to Florida Today.
The deputies fired their weapons, striking the man. He was transported to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Authorities have not said what prompted the welfare check or released the man’s name.
What Is a Baker Act Welfare Check?
Florida’s Baker Act allows law enforcement officers and certain mental health professionals to initiate an involuntary examination of a person who appears to have a mental illness and may pose a danger to themselves or others, or who appears unable to care for themselves. Welfare checks conducted under the Baker Act are among the more unpredictable calls deputies answer, because the person’s state of mind is often unknown when deputies arrive.
In this case, the check turned deadly within moments of the encounter, when the man produced the concealed handgun. Investigators will now review the full sequence of events, including body-camera footage and witness accounts, as part of the standard investigation into the shooting.
Deputies on Leave as Investigation Continues
The deputies who fired their weapons have been placed on administrative leave, which is standard procedure after a deputy-involved shooting. The 79-year-old man’s name had not been released as of the latest report. The investigation is ongoing, and the sheriff’s office is expected to release additional details as they become available.
What Happens After a Fatal Deputy-Involved Shooting
When deputies are involved in a fatal shooting, the incident is investigated to determine whether the use of force was justified under the law. That review typically includes body-camera and dash-camera footage, statements from the deputies and any witnesses, and forensic evidence collected at the scene.
The deputies placed on administrative leave will remain off regular duty while the investigation runs its course. Once investigators complete their work, their findings are generally turned over to prosecutors, who decide whether the shooting was lawful. The process can take weeks or months before final conclusions are shared with the public.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was killed during the welfare check in Mims?
A 79-year-old man whose name has not been released. He used a wheelchair and was pronounced dead at a hospital after deputies shot him.
Where and when did the shooting happen?
On Pine Avenue in the Spruce Hills neighborhood of Mims, Florida, around 7:55 p.m. on Saturday, October 11.
What is a Baker Act welfare check?
Florida’s Baker Act allows law enforcement and certain professionals to initiate an involuntary examination of a person who appears to have a mental illness and may pose a danger to themselves or others. Deputies were conducting such a check when the shooting occurred.
What happened during the welfare check?
According to authorities, the 79-year-old man pointed a handgun that had been concealed in his wheelchair at the deputies. The deputies fired their weapons, striking him.
What happened to the deputies involved?
The deputies who fired have been placed on administrative leave, which is standard procedure following a deputy-involved shooting.
Has the man’s name been released?
No. As of the latest report, authorities had not released the 79-year-old man’s name.
Is the investigation ongoing?
Yes. The shooting remains under investigation, and authorities are expected to release more details as the investigation proceeds.
Where can I read the original report?
The incident was reported by Florida Today.
