NORTH PORT, Fla. — The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office is investigating an officer-involved shooting that happened Tuesday night in North Port.
Officers with the North Port Police Department responded to a report of a man who was making suicidal threats and possible gunshots, the sheriff's office said.
When officers arrived, they found a man in the driveway of his home. The man reportedly reached for a handgun in his waistband and pointed it at two officers. The officers then fired their guns and the man was killed.
The sheriff's office identified the man as 47-year-old Howard Owens.
Deputies say the preliminary investigation reveals Owens previously stated he wanted officers to shoot him and threatened to use a firearm to force them to do so.
No one else was injured. The investigation is ongoing.
On Wednesday, North Port Police released the following statement:
"Late Tuesday night, North Port police officers were called to a scene where they ultimately used deadly force. Per NPPD policy and utilizing our Memorandum of Understanding with the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office, their agency has taken over the investigation. Please see their release, with more details, below. Also per NPPD policy, three officers involved in this case have been placed on paid administrative leave.
We’re confident a thorough independent investigation will be done which will look at all available evidence surrounding this incident. It’s a very unfortunate and sad situation. Our hearts go out to all involved.
This will be NPPD’s only statement on this case until the investigation is complete. For now, all questions about this matter should be directed to SCSO."
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