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Man shot by Cocoa officer, security guard files lawsuit against property management

Body camera video shows shootings at Village Greene apartments

BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. – A man shot by a police officer and security gaurd at a Cocoa apartment complex last year has had his assault charges dropped by the State Attorney’s Office — and is now filing a lawsuit against the property’s managers, according to court records.

Intense body camera video from Cocoa Officer Clyde Hilliard shows gunfire at the Village Greene apartments on Oct. 13, 2022, which is when police said security guard Michael Ulery shot at Dexter Bray.

In an arrest affidavit, police said Ulery was helping a tow-truck driver tow Bray’s car from the property when Bray came out of his apartment and pointed a gun at them. Investigators said the security guard and tow-truck driver told them that Bray had fired his gun.

[Click in the media player below to watch body camera video of the officer-involved shooting. WARNING: Video contains profane language. Viewer discretion is advised.]

As a result, Ulery and Hilliard shot Bray, the affidavit shows. According to a new lawsuit, Bray became permanently injured because of the shootings.

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Bray was airlifted to the hospital following the shootings and faced charges of aggravated assault with a firearm.

However, the State Attorney’s Office later dropped the charges on March 31. Investigators said that the magazine on Bray’s firearm was full, meaning that Bray hadn’t fired his gun — in contrast to what the security guard and tow-truck driver initially claimed.

Now, Bray is suing the homeowner’s association, property management and apartment security for damages in excess of $50,000 for Bray’s “extreme pain and suffering.”

The lawsuit blames the security company’s “negligent training and supervision” and calls the security guard “unfit in his role.”

Cocoa police said the department and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement found that Hilliard didn’t break the law or any other policies. Since the shooting, police said Hilliard has returned to work.

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About the Authors
James Sparvero headshot

James joined News 6 in March 2016 as the Brevard County Reporter. His arrival was the realization of a three-year effort to return to the state where his career began. James is from Pittsburgh, PA and graduated from Penn State in 2009 with a degree in Broadcast Journalism.

Anthony Talcott headshot

Anthony, a graduate of the University of Florida, joined ClickOrlando.com in April 2022.

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