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WPTV West Palm Beach
Witnesses describe 'struggle' between man and officer at Suncoast High School
By Kate Hussey,
13 days ago
Students and their parents described the hectic moments before and after Riviera Beach police said a man was shot by an officer at Suncoast Community High School on Monday morning.
Police said an unauthorized man attempted to enter the premises on foot. When approached by an officer, the individual became "combative" and made physical contact with the officer, according to police.
In response, the police said the officer discharged their weapon, resulting in the individual being shot twice, prompting a lockdown at Suncoast High School and surrounding schools.
"On the school grounds," Lana Zavgorodneva, a parent, exclaimed. "I mean with the kids!”
Forensic trucks and crime scene tap canvassed the high school Monday morning after parent Brian McMahon told WPTV he saw what looked like a struggle break out between a man and the officer, who he said was a woman, in the parking lot of the school's entrance on Avenue U at about 7:20 a.m.
"I did," McMahon said. "I heard a little bit of wrestling and a loud noise and someone yell. Then I heard a shot. It was loud, I saw the officer had her gun out, but I thought it was a Taser and then I realized after I saw the blood that she had shot him."
That was about 20 seconds after he said he dropped off his twin freshmen students, Abigail and Keegan, just yards away.
"The first thing I immediately thought about was these guys," McMahon, pointing to his children, said.
"I was out in the courtyard and I just see people running, and immediately I hear the code yellow signal," Abigail McMahon said.
Students told WPTV they felt safer knowing the incident wasn't ever targeted at them but, according to police, appeared to be an isolated incident involving the officer.
The officer and the individual were taken to the hospital for treatment. The officer was treated and released, while the individual remains in stable condition.
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