GIFFORD, Fla. – Law enforcement is investigating after a deputy was injured and another person was killed while the Indian River County Office Special Weapons and Tactics Team was serving a search warrant in Gifford Sunday morning, deputies said.
Deputies attempted to serve a warrant for illegal narcotics at a home on the 4500 block of 35th Avenue around 5:45 a.m., deputies said.
Deputies said that as the S.W.A.T. team approached the house, Andrew Coffee III, 38, exited the home, saw law enforcement, then tried to flee back inside the house. Deputies were struggling to take Coffee into custody when shots were fired at deputies from inside the house, according to the Sheriff's Office. Three S.W.A.T. members fired back, killing one person inside the house, deputies said.
The Sheriff's Office said Deputy Kelsey Zorc was grazed by a bullet in her shoulder, but her vest prevented further injuries.
Coffee and four others that were inside the home were taken into custody, deputies said.
Zorc was taken to Indian River Medical Center for her injuries.
Indian River County Sheriff Deryl Loar released a statement about the incident.
"Early this morning, our S.W.A.T. Team took fire while attempting to serve a high risk search warrant in the Gifford Area. The last time the Indian River County Sheriff's Office discharged a firearm was December 18, 2015, when Deputy Chris Lester was shot by Andrew Coffee II, a career criminal who remains in our jail," Loar said. "The Coffee family has a history of violence against law enforcement. Our S.W.A.T. team is to be commended for their bravery this morning as they again put their lives on the line to apprehend career criminals."
The three deputies who fired their guns were placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation, the Sheriff's Office said.
No other details were available. Stay with News 6 and ClickOrlando.com for updates on this story.