A man brandishing a railroad spike was fatally shot by deputies in Florida after "less-lethal options were ineffective" and lunged at them, authorities said.
The incident occurred around 2:40 a.m. Tuesday at the Divine Mercy Prayer Center. Deputies responded to a 911 call reporting a man threatening residents inside the church.
Upon arrival, deputies encountered the man, later identified as Joshua Rodriguez, 36, walking behind a wrought-iron fence while growling at them.
The suspect refused to obey commands to drop the sharp object he was carrying, which was later determined to be a railroad spike.
Bodycam footage shows Rodriguez kicking open the metal fence and lunging at the deputies. Deputies attempted to maintain a safe distance, but Rodriguez continued to advance towards them.
Deputies deployed a BolaWrap, a tool used to restrain a person without harming them, and a Taser, but both attempts failed to stop Rodriguez.
"Our deputies showed extraordinary professionalism and exhausted every less lethal option to preserve life before this fatal outcome," Sheriff Chad Chronister said in a statement. "Their actions today serve as a reflection of the extensive training our deputies undergo and is a testament to the tools they have available to serve and protect the community."
Deputies feared for their lives and fired upon Rodriguez, striking him multiple times. They immediately attempted lifesaving measures, but their efforts were unsuccessful.
The two deputies who fired upon Rodriguez, Deputy Robert Sanchez and Deputy Jacob St. John, are on administrative leave while the Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigates the incident. Sanchez is a 17-year veteran of the sheriff's office, and St. John has served for 10 months.
Reverends who live at the worship center told the sheriff they had to cancel a 7:30 a.m. mass as a result of the shooting.
The shooting remains under investigation, and no further information is available at this time.
* Rodriguez had a history of mental health issues and had been previously Baker Acted, which is a Florida law that allows law enforcement to involuntarily commit people for mental health evaluation and treatment.
* The railroad spike was approximately 12 inches long and had a sharp point.
* Deputies had been dispatched to the church on previous occasions for reports of Rodriguez causing disturbances.
* The BolaWrap device is a handheld tool that fires a Kevlar cord that wraps around a person's legs, immobilizing them.
* The Taser is a non-lethal weapon that delivers an electric shock to incapacitate a person.
* The shooting has sparked protests and calls for increased mental health services in the community.
* The Sheriff's Office has released body camera footage of the incident to the public.
* The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is conducting an independent investigation into the shooting.
* The results of the investigation will be released once it is complete.
* The shooting is a reminder of the dangers that law enforcement officers face on a daily basis.
