VERO BEACH, FL – A veteran Florida deputy sheriff was killed and two others wounded Friday when a man opened fire as law enforcement officers arrived to serve a routine eviction notice at a residential home.
Deputy Sheriff Terri Mashkow, 47, died at the scene after being struck by gunfire in the 1100 block of Governor’s Way in Vero Beach. Mashkow had served with the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office for more than 25 years.
Three deputies arrived at the residence Friday morning to serve an eviction notice that had been requested by the suspect’s mother for her own home. The deputies entered the property with the assistance of a locksmith after receiving no response at the door.
Once inside, Michael Halberstam grabbed a weapon and began firing indiscriminately at the deputies, according to authorities. The deputies returned fire, striking Halberstam multiple times.
Deputy Florention Arizpe, also a 25-year veteran of the department, sustained a shoulder wound in the exchange of gunfire. He was transported to a local hospital and is expected to recover. A sergeant who was present at the scene was not injured.
The locksmith who had accompanied the deputies to gain entry to the home was also struck by gunfire and remains in critical condition at a local hospital. Halberstam was critically wounded in the shootout and is receiving medical treatment under guard.
Sheriff Eric Flowers addressed the tragedy at a press conference, emphasizing the dangers law enforcement officers face even during routine calls. “This was a standard call for service. This is the everyday call, the eviction. Regular duties that our deputies bravely do,” Flowers said.
Investigators revealed that Halberstam has a criminal history that includes previous narcotics charges and misdemeanor assault. Officials also discovered what they described as “strange posts” and negative content about the sheriff’s office on Halberstam’s social media accounts.
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier and Governor Ron DeSantis both released statements acknowledging the tragedy. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is assisting the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office with the investigation.
The eviction notice that deputies were serving had been filed by Halberstam’s own mother, who owned the property. Authorities have not released additional details about the family dispute that led to the eviction proceeding.
The shooting marks another deadly incident involving routine law enforcement duties in Florida. Deputy Mashkow’s death adds to the growing number of officers killed in the line of duty nationwide this year.
Funeral arrangements for Deputy Mashkow are pending. The Indian River County Sheriff’s Office has set up a memorial fund for her family.
