A man was shot dead on Monday afternoon by deputies, following a domestic violence incident in a home on Merritt Island, Brevard County Sheriff’s Office said.
57-year-old William Emanuel Poplos was shot multiple times by five deputies after he threatened investigators with a firearm, as he exited a home in the 400 block of Belair Avenue, Merritt Island.
Investigators had gone to the home where Poplos lived with his 82-year-old fiancée after the couple got into a domestic dispute. Deputies say, the woman had called 911 on Monday around 4:45 p.m., after Poplos had threatened her with a gun, then fired three rounds into the kitchen wall. The woman, who has not been identified, was able to escape from the residence shortly after and immediately contacted law enforcement.
Deputies who responded to the area cordoned off the residence, evacuated nearby residents and made contact with Poplos inside the home.
According to investigators, Poplos indicated he was leaving the residence and was told to put his firearm down. Investigators also say, as Poplos exited the home, he threatened deputies with the firearm.
Investigators opened fire striking Poplos multiple times. He was transported to Cape Canaveral Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
The five deputies who discharged their firearms are:
- Deputy Frank Sarivola is an eight-year veteran of the Sheriff’s Office, with two years prior experience working for the Department of Corrections.
- Deputy Richard Lemons is a six-year-veteran of the Sheriff’s Office and a member of the S.W.A.T. team.
- Deputy James Simon has been employed by the Sheriff’s Office for three years.
- Deputy Mark Spencer is a two-year veteran of the Sheriff’s Office and
- Deputy Chase Jicha has been with the Sheriff’s Office for one year.
As is customary, all deputies have been placed on paid administrative leave, pending an internal investigation.
