USE OF FORCE

The deputy has been place on leave and the case is now up for review by the State Attorney's Office.

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – A new episode of the Vice documentary series will include coverage of Salaythis Melvin, the 22-year-old man fatally shot in the back at the Florida Mall last year by an Orange County deputy. The trailer for the Vice episode airing Sunday at 8 p.m. on Showtime also includes interviews with Orange County Sheriff John Mina and Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood. Orange County Sheriff’s Office media relations confirmed it did participate in the Vice documentary interview. Orange County Sheriff’s Office Agent James Montiel opened fire on Melvin on Aug. 7 outside the Florida Mall as the 22-year-old was running away across the parking lot. Hours of body camera video released by the sheriff’s office video have provided little insight into the shooting itself.

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – A former deputy with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office is facing multiple criminal charges following accusation that he slammed a woman to the ground while making an arrest, according to the state attorney’s office. Records show charges of perjury in an official proceeding, perjury when not in an official proceeding and battery were filed Wednesday morning against former deputy Ayler Cruz. Officials from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office said the charges stem from a Jan. 26, 2020 battery incident. According to the video, Cruz deployed his stun gun less than 10 seconds after getting out of his patrol car. The sheriff’s office said he didn’t follow the department’s use of force policy during the encounter.

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – A former deputy with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office is facing multiple criminal charges, according to the state attorney’s office. Records show charges of perjury in an official proceeding, perjury when not in an official proceeding and battery were filed Wednesday morning against former deputy Ayler Cruz. Officials from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office said the charges stem from a Jan. 26, 2020 battery incident. “No one is more outraged than I am when a deputy is charged with a crime,” Orange County Sheriff John Mina said. According to the video, Cruz deployed his stun gun less than 10 seconds after getting out of his patrol car.

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. – Two police officers in Volusia County have been cleared by the state attorney for their roles in a fatal shooting at a Daytona Beach apartment that left one suspect dead and an officer injured. Holly Hill and Daytona Beach police officers responded to the apartment complex at 1629 Espanola Ave. on Aug. 29 for an anonymous tip about a person wanted for attempted murder. A witness told officers Harris was inside an apartment with a gun or he had jumped out a window, body camera video showed. Daytona Beach police Officer Dominic Besse entered the apartment and when he pushed open a door he was met by gunfire. [RELATED: Graphic body camera video shows moment a bulletproof vest saves a Daytona Beach police officer’s life]Officers returned fire and Harris was found in the bedroom.

Despite protests nationwide, law enforcement officers in the U.S. have killed one black person per week so far this year, according to data from the Washington Post. How are law enforcement agencies in Central Florida responding to the calls for reform? News 6 went behind the scenes of law enforcement training for answers. There is no requirementFrom Jan. 1, 2015 until June 1, 2020, the Post documented 5,360 Americans were shot and killed by a law enforcement officer. The class is filled with law enforcement officers from across Central Florida.

The same night, Daytona Beach Police Chief Craig Capri publicly released the body camera footage showing the prospective from the officer who was shot. The body camera video calmed the community and the outcry from the suspects family in the latest example of body camera video exhonerating and justifying police officers actions, according to Capri. Weve had people making false complaints, the officer harassed me or said this, well lets look at the body camera video, Capri said. Body cameras make a difference, theyre a game-changer.Most large law enforcement agencies across Central Florida do have body cameras as do many of the smaller ones. The Brevard County Sheriffs Office does not have body cameras.

Since then, hours of body camera video from the shooting has been released as protesters have called for the sheriff to fire the deputy who opened fire. When asked about the release of the video compared to other Central Florida agencies who release video sooner, the sheriff said he was following protocol. Daytona Beach police officers shot and killed an attempted murder suspect on Saturday morning, the department released the body camera video that night. “Our deputies are trained that anytime they’re in fear for their life or the lives of others they are authorized to use deadly force,” Mina said. The first body camera video from the shooting at the Florida Mall was released on the evening of Aug. 18, Florida’s primary election day.

Before the officer is shot, he begins to enters the room where the suspect ran to with his assault rifle raised. As the door opens, the suspect is seen on video pointing a gun at the officer but the officer doesnt fire, instead yelling again, hands!He gave him several chances, Capri said. The officer, he stayed in the fight, and thats what we train our officers to do, Capri said. The suspect was there with the gun, Capri said. On the video the woman can be heard agreeing to put her hands up and she is seen running outside.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. The Daytona Beach Police Department released graphic body camera footage following an officer-involved shooting Saturday during which an officer was shot in the chest and a suspect was killed. Body camera video shows five officers arriving at an apartment complex after an anonymous tip that a suspect wanted for attempted murder was inside. The video then shows officers with their guns drawn as they walk to the end of a hallway. The officer yells out in pain and drops to the ground. [RELATED: VIDEO: 1 person killed, Daytona Beach officer injured in shooting, police say]Im hit, the officer yells.

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – The Orange County Sheriff’s Office Citizens Advisory Committee is expected to finalize and vote on recommendations it’s making for the agency’s use of force policy during its meeting on Thursday. Chairperson Allie Braswell said the committee has worked for months to come up with the recommendations. The committee is meeting virtually Thursday night, nearly three weeks after an Orange County sheriff’s deputy shot and killed Salaythis Melvin outside the Florida Mall. He said they won’t get the opportunity to review it until after the FDLE, the State Attorney’s Office, and the sheriff’s office completes their investigations, which is standard procedure. The citizens advisory committee virtual meeting starts at 6 p.m. Click here for more information.

That warrant was not for Melvin and deputies did not know who he was, even asking his name in the body camera video. The Sheriff’s Office said its records department is going through more than 10 hours of body worn camera footage surrounding the shooting before it can be made public. I was just involved in an officer-involved shooting,” Montiel says to someone while speaking on his radio. On Thursday, the sheriff’s office released more video showing the aftermath of the shooting. He said they also plan to sue the Sheriff’s Office and are demanding policy changes.

ORLANDO, Fla. – About 100 protesters took to the streets around Florida Mall on Friday, demanding answers in the deputy-involved shooting death of Salaythis Melvin. The Florida Mall shut down early Friday ahead of a planned protest. He and the other protesters who gathered called on the Orange County Sheriff’s Office to criminally charge the deputy who fired his weapon. “We need the sheriff, we need the Orange County mayor, we need all of them to take direct action,” he said. Orange County Sheriff’s Office deputies are ordering the protesters to leave the roadway and disperse immediately.

That warrant was not for Melvin and deputies did not know who he was, even asking his name in the body camera video. Melvin died of a single gunshot wound to the back, according to the Sheriff’s Office. “Sheriff Mina, is this a good policy to have unmarked vehicles and unmarked officers, serving arrest warrants?” Haynes asked. A spokesperson for the sheriff’s Office said they were notified Tuesday the FDLE completed its last initial interview. News 6 asked the sheriff’s office to explain the process it took to release the videos and we’re waiting for a response.

According to an arrest affidavit, Orange County Sheriff’s Office Agent James Montiel opened fire on Salaythis Melvin, 22, on Aug. 7 outside the Florida Mall. The video released on Tuesday is too far away to show if Melvin has a weapon in his hands. Carlus Haynes and Bradley Laurent, the attorneys representing Melvin’s mother, have been asking the Sheriff’s Office to release body camera video from the deputy who shot Melvin and those who were in the area. Audio begins recording once the camera is activated, according to the Sheriff’s Office. The first video showing Melvin, shows law enforcement officers approaching a group in the parking lot and Melvin running away.

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – A group of demonstrators walked in front of cars in a busy Orange County intersection Friday afternoon calling for the Sheriff’s Office to release body camera video from the deputy who fatally shot a 22-year-old in the back last week. The deputy drew his firearm and told Melvin to drop his gun but Melvin instead ran, according to the affidavit. Melvin’s family and friends have demanded answers and asked the Sheriff’s Office to release video from the deputy’s body camera. On Friday, protesters on Orange Blossom Trail carried signs and wore T-shirts with Melvin’s photo demanding the video to be released. Demonstrators inside Florida Mall demand the release of body camera video showing a fatal deputy-involved shooting.

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – An Orange County Sheriff’s Office deputy shot a man in the back, killing him, during a confrontation at the Florida Mall on Friday, according to an arrest affidavit. When deputies approached, 22-year-old Salaythis Melvin ran away and toward Montiel, who got out of his unmarked vehicle and saw Melvin holding a stolen Glock handgun, records show. Montiel drew his firearm and told Melvin to drop his gun but Melvin instead ran, according to the affidavit. “Agent Montiel stated Melvin turned his head and started to face him while still holding the firearm,” the report reads. Orange County Sheriff John Mina said video exists of the shooting and it will be reviewed as part of an investigation into the deadly use of force incident.

The five Ormond Beach police officers who fatally shot a former Chicago police officer after she shot her husband were cleared by the state attorney following an investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement into the use-of-force incident. According to the FDLE use-of-force investigation, Deanna Owsianiak, 55, and her husband David Owsianiak, 56, were arguing when she fatally shot him during a struggle over a weapon. State Attorney R.J. Larizza reviewed the FDLE investigation and said no action would be taken against the officers involved. Eventually, Deanne Owsianiak walked toward the water and David Owsianiak followed, according to the report. David Owsianiak served as a firefighter locally for several years but spent most of his career with the Chicago Fire Department.

Craig Putriment, KPD's sergeant over training and recruiting, said even after his officers arrived, the man continued to throw bricks. "He appears that he's not in his right state of mind, so through training, officers know we needed to try and de-escalate the situation." Putriment said in 2016, KPD implemented ethical policing to make sure all citizens are treated with respect, equality and justice. When officers encountered the man, they tried to talk him into pulling his hands out of his pockets. Suddenly, the man pulled a knife from his pocket and officers rushed him, trying to subdue the man and secure his hand.

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – The Orange County Sheriff's Office Citizens Advisory Committee met virtually on Thursday evening to address concerns with use of force and training. At the beginning of the meeting with the nine-member board, Sheriff John Mina told the committee that he was open to recommendations in order to improve the agency. During the meeting, members asked questions to members of the Sheriff’s Office who oversea discipline and training. The agency told the committee that it conducts use of force training on a yearly basis, despite the Florida only requiring it be conducted once every four years. The sheriff's office told the group that choke holds are prohibited, unless lethal force is necessary.

FLAGLER COUNTY, Fla. – The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office announced Tuesday it’s use of force policies aligned with the calls for proposed reforms nationwide. FCSO says it has already implemented such policies and practices outlined in the campaign before it became a national conversation, according to a sheriff’s office news release. FCSO also outlined its duty to intervene policy noting civilian employees are also required to report excessive use of force. The sheriff’s office reports the last time deadly force was used in Flagler County was in December 2012. Staly describes guardianship policing is the community and neighborhoods working with the sheriff’s office to keep the community safe together and helps build transparency and trust.

ORLANDO, Fla. – Deputies with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office now have a duty to intervene "if they anticipate or observe the unreasonable, unnecessary or disproportionate use of force,” according to the agency’s recently updated use of force policy. “I think the advisory boards are a great way of communicating through citizen representation,” Former Orange County Commissioner Scott Boyd said. "In looking at our use of force policy, it wasn’t spelled out. Allie Braswell said he joined the Orange County Sheriff’s Office Citizens Advisory Committee three months ago. The labor union of the Orange County Sheriff’s Office Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 93 has filed a grievance against the Sheriff’s Office.

LAKE COUNTY, Fla. – George Floyd’s death has impacted the country and the world. [UPDATES: Protests over death of George Floyd continue across the US | Orange County town hall to focus on George Floyd, police and community relations]“I was that 17-year-old who was stopped by the police. “It bothers me to death,” Canty said. [RELATED COVERAGE: Orange County leaders explain how they can mend law enforcement-community relationships | Black-owned restaurants you can support in Orlando]He was raised in Pine Hills and is now second in command at the Orange County sheriffs office. We’re trying to hold our people accountable and know that we are listening, we’ve heard the concerns of the community,” Canty said.

ORLANDO, Fla. – Orlando police identified the man shot and killed by police Tuesday and released images authorities say show the man attempting to break into an apartment hours before the fatal shooting. According to officers, Kevin Aldophe, 22, ran away as two officers and a trainee chased him. Police said at some point during the foot pursuit, two officers fired their weapons on the suspect, killing him. “At some point, there was an interaction between the individual and the officers and the officers fired their weapons,” OPD Chief Orlando Rolon said. The Orlando Police Department later identified the officers who fired their weapons as Officer Ben Chisari and Officer Jeffery Madison.