PALM BAY, Fla. – The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating after an off-duty Brevard County Sheriff's Office deputy fatally shot a 22-year-old man in an apparent road rage incident in the area of Emerson Drive and St. John's Heritage Parkway in Palm Bay.
"It appears to be what resulted from a road rage incident that started several miles from this location," Sheriff Wayne Ivey said. "It appears that it escalated and at one point there was a subject that was shot. It appears that there was a self-defense mechanism to (the shooting)."
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He also stated that the deputy, identified as Yousef Hafza, contacted 911.
Hafza has been with the BCSO for two years, but has a total of 11 years experience with the BCSO and other local agencies.
It was not immediately clear whether the deputy's service weapon was used in the incident, but Ivey noted deputies are allowed to carry them while off duty.
The victim, identified as Clarence Mahogany X Howard, 22, of Palm Bay, was taken to a nearby hospital following the shooting, but was pronounced dead.
Hafza, who was unharmed during the incident, has been placed on administrative leave.
A passenger was in the vehicle with Howard at the time of the incident. Ivey said there appeared to be no witnesses to the shooting other than that person.