Orlando police identify armed man killed by officers responding to domestic dispute

Dravious Burch, 34, fatally shot by officers, police say

ORLANDO, Fla. – Orlando police have identified the man fatally shot by four officers responding to a domestic dispute.

Chief John Mina identified the armed man killed in the shooting Tuesday night as 34-year-old Dravious Burch.

According to Mina, officers were called to the home at 5055 City St. near John Young Parkway and Americana around 11:15 p.m. after a 911 caller reported hearing a woman screaming during an argument with a man and a gunshot was heard. Officers later confirmed Burch had fired a shot in the home while the woman and two children, ages 13 and 9, were inside.

When officers arrived outside the home, Burch, who was armed with two handguns, made his way out to the parking lot and toward the officers.

Video from the scene shows Burch disregarding officers' repeated commands to drop his weapons and get on the ground, according to Mina. The chief said when Burch showed his weapons, the officers opened fire, fatally striking him.

“What I saw was the suspect aggressively approaching them, walking towards them, putting them in fear for their lives,” Mina said. “I mean, I don’t know if he had a death wish or what, but obviously he had multiple opportunities to end this peacefully and, based on his actions, chose not to."

Burch was pronounced dead at the scene, officers said. Neither the woman nor the children were injured.

During a press conference Wednesday, Mina credited the 911 caller for taking action when they heard something.

"I like the fact that someone heard something, knew the signs of domestic violence and then called," Mina said. "Who knows, if that caller had not called, what would’ve happened to that mother and those children."

Mina said he believes the awareness the Police Department, along with the help of Harbor House, is working to raise is helping others become familiar with the signs of domestic violence.

[RELATED: Domestic violence affects 1 in 3 women; here’s how to get help]

The Orlando Police Department responds to about eight domestic violence calls per day and makes approximately 1,500 arrests in domestic violence cases per year, according to the police chief.

If you or someone you know is involved in an unhealthy relationship, click here for a list of ways to get help.

The officers who shot Burch have been placed on temporary, paid administrative leave, which is standard procedure in officer-involved shootings. 

Orlando police identified the officers Wednesday as Emanuel Gonzalez, Gustavo Goncalves, Alex Barber and Jason Hakman. Gonzalez and Goncalves have both worked for the department since November 2016. Barber was hired in May 2017 and Hakman joined the department in February of this year.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement will investigate the shooting.

Watch News 6 and stay with ClickOrlando.com for updates.


About the Authors:

Daniel started with WKMG-TV in 2000 and became the digital content manager in 2009. When he's not working on ClickOrlando.com, Daniel likes to head to the beach or find a sporting event nearby.

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