An unfortunate incident unfolded in The Florida Keys early Monday morning, resulting in the tragic death of a 15-year-old emotionally disturbed girl. According to law enforcement officials, the girl was shot by police after she pointed a stolen gun at deputies.
The incident took place around 5:20 a.m. on Stock Island, located east of Key West. The Monroe County Sheriff's Office reported that the girl had taken a stolen gun, removed the attached gun lock, and proceeded to a remote location on the island.
Reports indicate that the girl initially pointed the weapon at herself before turning it towards the deputies, prompting them to open fire. Sheriff Rick Ramsay expressed his condolences, stating, 'This incident is a tragedy for everyone involved.' He also requested an independent investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for transparency.
During the encounter, deputies repeatedly urged the girl to drop the gun as she pointed it at herself. Subsequently, she aimed the gun at the deputies, leading to the fatal shots being fired by a sergeant on the scene.
A witness who preferred to remain anonymous recounted the events, mentioning that deputies were continuously instructing the girl to put the gun down. Approximately eight minutes later, gunshots were heard. The witness also suggested that the girl may have fired the gun once before the deputies intervened.
Following the shooting, the Sheriff's Office promptly called for medical assistance and provided aid to the girl. Tragically, she was pronounced dead at the Lower Keys Medical Center.
This heartbreaking incident serves as a reminder of the complex and challenging situations law enforcement officers face in the line of duty. The community mourns the loss of a young life and awaits the findings of the independent investigation to shed light on the circumstances surrounding this unfortunate event.
