Palm Bay police shoot, kill man who fired at officers after hourslong standoff, officials say

Man ID’d as Kyle Larkin, 31

PALM BAY, Fla. – Palm Bay police shot and killed a man who fired at officers after an hourslong standoff, according to the department.

Officers responded Sunday around 8 p.m. to the 700 block of Scotia Ave. after receiving reports a man, identified as 31-year-old Kyle Larkin, was threatening to shoot and kill his family members.

Police said SWAT and crisis negotiators were at the scene working to get Larkin out of the home.

“After several hours, the subject refused to comply with Negotiators on scene. The subject fired at officers at which time the officers returned fire ultimately hitting the subject an undetermined number of times,” the department said in a release.

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A neighbor who livestreamed the shooting shared the video with News 6.

A muzzle flash seen at the front door appears to be the moment when police said the armed suspect first opened fire. Later, a man told News 6 that he was the suspect’s father.

“He was having suicidal thoughts, so his little brother called the police,” he said. “Instead of talking him down, they shot him in the doorway 24 times.”

Larkin was pronounced dead on the scene.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating and the officers involved have been placed on administrative leave per procedure. The names of the officers have not been released.

It’s the second fatal shooting involving Palm Bay police this year. During a standoff in February, police said officers killed 46-year-old Michael Dishong after he threatened people with a gun at a home on Tucson Road.

FDLE told News 6 that the agency has turned over its review of the case to the State Attorney’s Office.

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About the Authors

Brenda Argueta is a digital journalist who joined ClickOrlando.com in March 2021. She is the author of the Central Florida Happenings newsletter that goes out every Thursday.

James joined News 6 in March 2016 as the Brevard County Reporter. His arrival was the realization of a three-year effort to return to the state where his career began. James is from Pittsburgh, PA and graduated from Penn State in 2009 with a degree in Broadcast Journalism.

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