MERRITT ISLAND, Fla. – A 32-year-old man was shot and killed after the residents of a Merritt Island home returned to find him inside their house, according to the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office.
Brevard County deputies began conducting a death investigation into a shooting that occurred at a Merritt Island home overnight Tuesday.
Deputies and paramedics were called after midnight to a home at 80 Barcelona Blvd.
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According to a news release from the sheriff’s office, Joshua Dodge, 32, of Merritt Island was shot and killed at the home.
Dodge went to an estate sale at the Barcelona Boulevard home Monday afternoon and left without buying anything. Later in the day, the residents returned to find Dodge inside the house and said he had entered without their permission illegally, according to the sheriff’s office.
A confrontation between one of the homeowners and Dodge turned physical, deputies said. The homeowner’s son retrieved a firearm and the father and son held Dodge at gunpoint until deputies arrived, according to the sheriff’s office.
When deputies arrived, the homeowner walked outside to tell deputies his son was holding Dodge at gunpoint until authorities arrived. Deputies said when they were preparing to enter the home, another altercation occurred inside and Dodge was shot, according to the news release.
Dodge fled but was found dead on the property a short time later, deputies said. His body was taken to the Medical Examiner’s Office where an autopsy will be completed.
The sheriff’s office did not identify the residents involved or the person who shot Dodge.
The investigation is ongoing, once it’s complete the findings will be sent to the state attorney’s office.