Footage from a body camera belonging to the Port St. Lucie Police Department captures officers seeking shelter behind a police car while gunfire was heard.
The footage was captured on Monday evening when officers arrived at a residence on Lake Park Drive around 6 p.m. to address a disturbance. Port St. Lucie Police Chief Leo Niemczyk stated that a mother had contacted authorities, claiming her son was using drugs and creating issues.
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Upon arriving at the location, Chief Niemczyk mentioned that officers encountered the suspect, 32-year-old Frankie Salvatore Riccio, who was carrying an AK-47 loaded with 762 ammunition.
“The officers moved cautiously toward the location. Sergeant Erik LeVasseur, known for his leadership and past experience as a SWAT operator, was at the front as they approached the house. The suspect looked out from the garage door and fired at least two shots, instantly hitting Sergeant LeVasseur,” Niemczyk stated.
The leader stated that Riccio ran out of the garage toward the officers, who took shelter behind a police car.
“He tried to circle around the officers near a police car and started shooting at the remaining officers,” Niemczyk stated.
Law enforcement opened fire, and Riccio passed away on the spot.
Right after the event, Sgt LeVasseur was transported to HCA Florida Lawnwood Medical Center in Fort Pierce following two gunshot injuries to his face.
“Once just next to his nose, and once directly beneath that, it seems he missed the brain, his spinal cord, and any major arteries, so he was very fortunate in that sense. Definitely, there was some divine help with him last night,” Niemczyk said.
At a press event that took place early Tuesday morning, Niemczyk shared with journalists that his group continues to stay optimistic.
“They are deeply thankful that Sergeant LeVasseur has made it this far and is still alive, and there remains considerable hope, along with a great sense of relief. That’s essentially the situation. Every officer who wears this uniform daily recognizes that they could find themselves in this position, and there’s no guarantee that we’ll return home safely at the end of our deployment. Therefore, we’re all thankful that we’re all still alive, and that the Sergeant is currently alive,” he said.
According to the latest information from the PSLPD, as of Tuesday night, health authorities haveplaced LeVasseur in a state of induced medical unconsciousnessAfter doctors discovered shrapnel in his retina, the PSLPD stated that arrangements are underway to move LeVasseur to a different trauma center capable of performing the procedure.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is currently looking into the shooting, which is typical procedure for incidents involving police officers.
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READ THE FULL STORY:BODYCAM: A Port St. Lucie police sergeant was injured when a disturbance call turned into a gunfire incident
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