VIDEO: Shooting Victim Opened Fire On Officers, Say Police

By  //  February 23, 2015

CHIEF Renkens: tough situation for all involved

ABOVE VIDEO: Interim Palm Bay Police Chief Mark Renkens briefs the press about the details of the shooting which occurred Sunday morning at 970 Castille Road SE.

BREVARD COUNTY • PALM BAY, FLORIDA – The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating a police-involved shooting Sunday morning in which Bradford Samuel Leonard, 50, was pronounced dead on scene at 6:04 a.m.

Yvonne Martinez
Yvonne Martinez

According to Yvonne Martinez, Public Information Coordinator for the City of Palm Bay, at 5:23 a.m. Sunday emergency dispatchers received a 9-1-1 hang up call from 970 Castille Road SE. (See map below)

When officers arrived on scene they encountered gunfire, according to Martinez.

“The responding officers retreated to positions of cover as rounds continued to be fired in their direction,” said Martinez.

“One officer was able to return fire stopping the threat.”

PALM-BAY-SHOOTING-022215-580-1
According to Yvonne Martinez, Public Information Coordinator for the City of Palm Bay, at 5:23 a.m. Sunday emergency dispatchers received a 9-1-1 hang up call from 970 Castille Road SE. When officers arrived on scene they encountered gunfire, said Martinez. (Palm Bay police image)

The FDLE is in the process of interviewing all responding officers as well as other witnesses, neighbors and family members. The Brevard County Sheriff’s Office is processing the scene and gathering physical evidence.

Mark Renkens
Mark Renkens

“This is a tough situation for all involved,” said Interim Palm Bay Police Chief Mark Renkens.

“Our officers have a very difficult job. They have to make split second life or death decisions and that’s exactly what we have here.”

Officer Derek Hollcroft, 28, is being placed on paid administrative leave while the investigation continues. This is protocol for police involved shootings.

Officer Hollcroft began his career with the Palm Bay Police Department in April 2013, and has a prior military background.

SHOOTING-INVESTIGATION-580-12
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating a police-involved shooting Sunday morning in which Bradford Samuel Leonard, 50, was pronounced dead on scene at 6:04 a.m.

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PREVIOUS REPORT

A 50-year old white male was shot and killed after the Palm Bay police was called to a home at 5:23 a.m. Sunday morning on Castille Road SE.
A 50-year old white male was shot and killed after the Palm Bay police was called to a home at 5:23 a.m. Sunday morning on Castille Road SE.

UPDATE: BRADFORD LEONARD IS SHOOTING VICTIM

Mark Renkens
Mark Renkens

Bradford Leonard has been identified by police as the victim in the shooting incident in Palm Bay on Sunday morning. Palm Bay Police Chief Mark Renkens said the officer involved in the shooting is Officer Derek Hollcroft, who has been with the department for two years.

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BREVARD COUNTY • PALM BAY, FLORIDA – A 50-year old white male was shot and killed after the Palm Bay police was called to a home at 5:23 a.m. Sunday morning on Castille Road SE.

According to the Palm Bay Police Department, after responding to a 9-1-1 hang up call from the home on Castille Road SE, officers arrived on scene and encountered gunfire from the residence.

Officers returned fire at approximately 6:04 a.m., killing the not-yet unidentified suspect.

There were no officer injuries.

An investigation into the shooting is now underway by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.  The officer involved is being interviewed, as are other witnesses, and more details will be released as the investigation continues.

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ABOVE MAP: A 50-year old white male was shot and killed after the Palm Bay police was called to a home at 5:23 a.m. Sunday morning on Castille Road SE.