Two BCSO Deputies Injured During Domestic Dispute, Suspect Charged With Attempted Murder

By  //  January 26, 2016

deputies expected to recover from their injuries

Two Brevard County Sheriff’s Office deputies were injured while trying to investigate a domestic dispute in Mims on Tuesday. As a result of the incident, Skylar Francis, 22, was arrested and charged with two counts of Attempted Murder of a Law Enforcement Officer. Courtney Johnson, 22, was charged with Resisting Arrest without violence. (BCSO images)
Two Brevard County Sheriff’s Office deputies were injured while trying to investigate a domestic dispute in Mims on Tuesday. As a result of the incident, Skylar Francis, 22, was arrested and charged with two counts of Attempted Murder of a Law Enforcement Officer. Courtney Johnson, 22, was charged with Resisting Arrest without violence. (BCSO images)

BREVARD COUNTY • MIMS, FLORIDA – Two Brevard County Sheriff’s Office deputies were injured while trying to investigate a domestic dispute in Mims on Tuesday morning.

As a result of the incident, Skylar Francis, 22, was arrested and charged with two counts of Attempted Murder of a Law Enforcement Officer. Courtney Johnson, 22, was charged with Resisting Arrest without violence.

According to Maj. Tod Goodyear of the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office, Deputies Michael Hriciso and Marie Skinner were dispatched at approximately 11:23 a.m. to 2651 Pineapple Avenue in Mims, in response to the disturbance.

A 9-1-1 caller reported hearing what sounded like a violent argument between a man and a woman coming from the backyard of the residence.

Michael Hriciso
Deputy Michael Hriciso

“Upon arriving on scene, the deputies were denied entrance into the residence by the homeowner,” said Maj. Goodyear in a release.

“Hearing the altercation in the backyard, the deputies entered the area where they observed a male and female in a heated argument.

“As the deputies began separating the parties, the male subject broke away and as Deputy Hriciso turned to confront him, the male produced a metal, collapsible baton, striking Deputy Hriciso in the back of the head.”

As Deputy Hriciso fell to the ground, the male continued to strike him about the face and head.

“Deputy Skinner went to the aid of her downed partner at which time she was struck by the assailant in the head,” said Maj. Goodyear.

Marie Skinner
Deputy Marie Skinner

“Despite their injuries, the deputies were eventually able to subdue the male subject. As additional deputies arrived on the scene, the female began to interfere with the arrest of the male subject.”

Both deputies were transported from the scene to local hospitals and are expected to recover from their non-life threatening injuries.

Francis and Johnson both reside in Mims with no permanent address and were transported to the Brevard County Jail where Francis is being held on No Bondm and Johnson has a bond of $500.

Deputy Michael Hriciso is a 17-year employee of the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office with four years of prior service in the U.S. Navy.

Deputy Hriciso has received numerous accolades during his career to include the “Medal of Valor Award” for risking his life while performing hazardous duty.

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Deputy Skinner is an 18-year employee with the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office. She has received numerous decorations during her career. Prior to her career with BSCO, she worked with the Titusville Police Department.

Anyone who may have information about this investigation is asked to call Agent Jonathon Amick of the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office North Precinct, General Crime Unit at 321-264-5210 or CRIMELINE at 1-800-423-TIPS (8477). All calls to CRIMELINE are confidential and callers can remain anonymous and be eligible for a reward.

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