Michael Kifer, 29, shot in upper body in ‘suicide by legislation enforcement’ standoff with IRC SWAT
INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — A 29-year-aged died from a single gunshot wound to the reduced chest in what officers named “suicide by law enforcement” all through a 2019 standoff with SWAT deputies, in accordance to lately launched healthcare examiner’s records.
An autopsy confirmed Michael Kifer sustained critical interior injuries and bleeding from the gunshot on Nov. 1, 2019.
Former Main Healthcare Examiner Dr. Roger Mittleman done the autopsy Nov. 4, 2019 and uncovered the bullet passed through Kifer’s abdomen and liver, in accordance to the report received Jan. 27.
At the time, officials did not launch information about exactly where the bullet entered.
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A grand jury decided in February 2020 that Deputy Dennis McKenzie’s actions in shooting Kifer were justified, Chief Assistant Point out Lawyer Steve Gosnell said.
At least one particular deputy went to the home in the 1100 block 35th Avenue Southwest earlier the afternoon of Nov. 1, 2019 for a grievance about Kifer harming items in the house, according to the report.
Kifer’s standoff with a SWAT device and disaster negotiators was the 3rd time deputies were at the house that day on problems Kifer was underneath the affect of drugs or intoxicated, Sheriff Deryl Loar reported at the time.
Blood checks and toxicology final results showed a .06 blood alcohol stage (The lawful limit is .08) and no proof of big narcotics, according to the autopsy. There was a existence of THC, the psychoactive element of cannabis.
On the past connect with to the household, officers stated deputies were informed Kifer had threatened anyone in a cellphone phone and he was armed with a knife and alone in the house.
Immediately after negotiators’ failed attempts to attract him outside the house the residence, the tactical staff broke into the entrance door and then a bed room window with assistance from relatives customers on the home’s layout.
They located Kifer in his bed room with what was explained as a small sword, around 12 inches lengthy.
Officers said Kifer advised regulation enforcement to shoot him all through their attempts to deliver him outside.
Loar claimed at the time officers made several attempts to take him down with “less-lethal” signifies like bean bag rounds and stun gun shocks, which he said experienced no influence.
Kifer ran at a deputy while keeping the weapon and was shot.
“He was established on committing suicide by law enforcement final night and he pressured our hand wherever we experienced to just take motion,” Loar reported in a assertion on Facebook Nov. 2, 2019.
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Corey Arwood is a breaking news reporter for TCPalm. Observe Corey on Twitter @coreyarwood, or reach him by cellphone at 772-978-2246.ccording to re
