Police shoot, kill Fort Lauderdale man, 44, at Plantation hotel, officials say
FORT LAUDERDALE - The Plantation Police Department said Monday that its officers shot and killed a Broward County man who allegedly pointed a gun at the responding officers while at a Plantation hotel.
Homea Spence Jr., 44, of Fort Lauderdale, died during the incident at the Plantation Inn Hotel & Lounge, located at 375 N State Road 7, according to a written police statement.
Spence was a convicted felon and had a stolen gun during the Saturday encounter at the motel, investigators said.
Police did not immediately say how many of its officers were involved during the incident but they were placed on routine administrative leave, according to the statement.
"We mourn any loss of life, and are working alongside the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to investigate this incident," the police statement said.
Police were called to the location shortly before 3:30 p.m. for a report of gunfire, according to the statement.
When police arrived, Spence allegedly pulled a gun from his waistband and pointed it at the officers, who opened fire, officials said.
A witness said he heard multiple gunshots during the incident.
"I heard five gunshots and the man was on the ground," said the witness, who spoke on condition of anonymity. "They had him in handcuffs."
A police spokesman said even if subjects or suspects are shot, they can be placed in handcuffs afterwards to "neutralize the threat" so as to prevent anyone else from being injured.
Plantation police said none of their officers were injured during the incident.
CBS4's Peter D'Oench spoke with Spence's aunt but she said that neither she nor Spence's widow wanted to say anything at this point.