New details released in deadly Titusville officer-involved shooting
The Brief
New details have been released by the Titusville Police Department about the officer-involved shooting that left 26-year-old Tri-Marea Rayquan Charles dead.
Titusville Police Chief John Lau provided new details via a pre-recorded statement posted to Facebook.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) has launched a criminal investigation into the officer-involved shooting.
ORLANDO, Fla. - New details have been released by the Titusville Police Department about the officer-involved shooting that left one man dead on Friday.
Officials identified the victim as 26-year-old Tri-Marea Rayquan Charles. His death has sparked questions and concerns from his family and the community.
What we know
Titusville Police Chief John Lau provided these new details via a pre-recorded statement posted to Facebook Thursday. Chief Lau said he was releasing more details to combat "misinformation" spreading on social media. Police had released very few details before Thursday.
Initially, Titusville Police stated that officers arrived at the scene of a "suspicious incident" at 9:15 p.m. Feb. 7 in the area of Robbins Avenue in Titusville.
Officers encountered an individual who was armed with a handgun, which led to shots being fired, according to a Titusville police spokesperson.
RELATED: 1 dead following officer-involved shooting in Titusville, officials say
In the video released Thursday by the Titusville Police Department, Chief Lau stated that officers responded to the home following external complaints and shots-fired calls.
As officers arrived on scene, one officer witnessed someone attempting to exit the home out of a back window and moments later Charles appeared at the front door. He allegedly attempted to jump over other people trying to exit the home and then tripped, causing a gun to fall out of his waistband.
The officer that was located near the front door immediately yelled "He has a gun" several times, according to Chief Lau.
Charles allegedly "rushed" at the officer, causing him to take a step back. Charles then picked up the gun that had fallen from his waistband and shots were fired by police, the chief said.
"This incident is truly a tragedy. Anytime we deal with the loss of life, it is tragic for the family, community and our law enforcement officers", Chief Lau said.
What they're saying
On Tuesday, a city council meeting was shut down due to protesters calling for Titusville Police Chief Lau to be fired.
"Fire that narcissist called Chief John Lau," said Robin Dennis, a protester who made public comments at the city council meeting.
The victim's mom also attended the meeting, begging for answers. "I haven't seen my son body at all since he been murdered by TPD, no answers," said Samantha Charles.
RELATED: Protestors shut down Titusville City Council meeting, after officer-involved shooting kills man
The mayor of Titusville is standing behind the police chief and says he has full faith in John Lau.
Mayor Andrew Connors does not support removing him from his position, despite people asking for that at the heated city meeting.
"Titusville has been through this before, and he has been utmost transparent," stated Mayor Connors.
Samantha Charles, mother of Tri-Marea Rayquan Charles, said she doesn't understand what happened, because her son was "not that type of kid."
She said she feels pain and hurt, and she wants justice for her son.
"He's lovable, respectable, and he (didn't) bother (anybody)," she said.
The backstory
Police Chief Lau provided a history of the address, 490 South Robbins Avenue, stating that the location dealt with an increase for calls of service over the past year. Calls included drug sales, fights, stolen vehicles and shots-fired calls.
The home has also been a subject of many complaints from residents in the neighborhood. Complaints which include statements of people bringing assault-type rifles in and out of the home.
According to Chief Lau, approximately 10 to 20 shots-fired calls at the home were responded to by police in the two weeks prior to the officer-involved shooting.
A search warrant for drugs and firearms was served at the home on Wednesday, February 5, 2025. 16 individuals were detained in the 900 square foot home. Drugs and one firearm were seized during the search.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is going to investigate the officer-involved shooting, which is standard procedure. Titusville will then open its own internal investigation. Both officers have been placed on paid administrative leave, which is also standard procedure.
STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 35 ORLANDO:
Download the FOX Local app for breaking news alerts, the latest news headlines
Download the FOX 35 Storm Team Weather app for weather alerts & radar
Sign up for FOX 35's daily newsletter for the latest morning headlines
FOX Local: Stream FOX 35 newscasts, FOX 35 News+, Central Florida Eats on your smart TV
The Source
The information in this article comes from previous reporting done by the FOX 35 News staff and the Titusville Police Department.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Yahoo
Purple Alert issued for missing Florida woman. Here's what it means and how you can help
A purple alert was issued Tuesday, June 10, for a missing Florida woman. Cynthia Padgett was last seen in Glen St. Mary and may be traveling in the Ocala area, according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement's Missing and Endangered Persons Information Clearinghouse. If spotted, officials said not to approach her but to contact law enforcement immediately. Here's what you should know. A Purple Alert was issued June 10 for missing Florida woman Cynthia Padgett. Padgett, 57, was last seen in the 17600 block of North Tommie Road in Glen St. Mary, according to the FDLE. She was wearing a gray shirt and red-and-black checkered pajama pants. She may be wearing glasses. Padgett may be traveling in a 2013, white Ford Fiesta with a Florida tag IFTP94. The FDLE said Padgett may be traveling in the Ocala area. "If located, DO NOT APPROACH. Contact law enforcement immediately," the FDLE said. Glen St. Mary is located about 25 miles west of Jacksonville. Ocala is about 70 miles south of Glen St. Mary. The Florida Purple Alert is used to assist in the location of missing adults suffering from a mental or cognitive disability that is not Alzheimer's disease or a dementia-related disorder. Their disappearance poses a credible threat of immediate danger or seriously bodily harm. Purple Alerts engage the public in the search for the missing person and provide a standardized and coordinated community response. As of June 11, there were 10 active Purple Alerts on the FDLE's website. The oldest is a man, Herbert McKinnon, missing from Orlando since June 2022. Click on the link for more details on each of the active Purple Alerts. Sign up to receive Florida Purple Alerts directly in your email. You can be notified as soon as an alert is issued to help with the safe recovery of a missing adult. The alert flyer will be sent directly to your home computer, smart phone or other email capable device. Florida's Purple Alert Plan was established by the Florida Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis on July 1, 2021, with an effective date of July 1, 2022. The person is 18 years of age or older and does not qualify for a state level Silver Alert. An investigation has determined the missing person: Has any combination of the following: an intellectual or developmental disability, brain injury; or another physical, mental, or emotional disability that is not related to substance abuse and Does not have Alzheimer's disease or a dementia related disorder. Has your law-enforcement agency's investigation concluded the disappearance poses a credible threat of immediate danger or serious bodily harm to the missing person and they can only be returned to safety through law-enforcement intervention? Is there a detailed description of the missing person suitable for distribution? Has your agency entered the missing person into the Florida Crime Information Center? Does the law-enforcement agency of jurisdiction recommend activation? If you have a loved one missing you should contact your local law-enforcement agency immediately. The law-enforcement agency will take a report and determine whether a Purple Alert is appropriate. If the agency determines that the case meets the criteria for a Purple Alert, they will contact the FDLE Missing Endangered Persons Information Clearinghouse. Only law enforcement can request a Purple Alert. Contact the local law-enforcement agency of jurisdiction where the missing person was last seen. This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Florida Purple Alert issued: Cynthia Padgett missing from Glen St. Mary
Yahoo
21 hours ago
- Yahoo
Florida A&M places Angela Suggs on administrative leave following arrest
The post Florida A&M places Angela Suggs on administrative leave following arrest appeared first on ClutchPoints. Following her arrest, Florida A&M has placed Angela Suggs on administrative leave. Suggs faces charges of grand theft, scheme to defraud, and four misdemeanor counts for submitting false travel voucher claims, according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. The Florida A&M alumna surrendered earlier on Monday and was released on a $13,500 bond shortly after 2:30 p.m., according to court records. Per a statement by interim president Dr. Timothy Beard to HBCU Gameday, Suggs was placed on leave with pay until further notice and deputy directors of athletics Travis Glasgow and Brittney Johnson will run operations. Sugg's arrest and subsequent investigation and charges stem from her work with the Florida Sports Foundation, in which she served as president of the organization. The Florida Sports Foundation, Inc. is a non-profit organization that serves as the Sports Industry Development Division for the State of Florida. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement released a statement detailing the scope of their investigation. 'The investigation began in November 2024 after FDLE received a criminal referral from the Florida Department of Commerce's Inspector General with an audit of Suggs' business credit card purchases and corresponding travel reimbursements,' the statement read. 'The investigation revealed Suggs misused her FSF-issued credit card to make wire transfers and cash withdraws and personal purchases at casinos during business trips, totaling more than $24,000. The statement continued, 'When asked about the unauthorized charges, Suggs claimed some were for business meals and others were accidentally charged to the business card. She failed to fully repay (the foundation) for her personal expenditures.' In September 2024, Suggs was appointed Athletic Director at Florida A&M University, succeeding Tiffani-Dawn Sykes. A proud Tallahassee native and FAMU alum, Suggs has a longstanding connection to FAMU Athletics. Suggs recently facilitated the hiring of Florida State legend Charlie Ward to become the next basketball coach for the institution. Related: Former HBCU basketball player passes away in tragic accident Related: Doug Williams's son nabs NFL coaching job, continues family legacy
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Florida A&M athletic director Angela Suggs arrested
The post Florida A&M athletic director Angela Suggs arrested appeared first on ClutchPoints. Florida A&M Athletic Director Angela Suggs has been arrested, per a report by the Tallahassee Democrat. Suggs faces charges of grand theft, scheme to defraud, and four misdemeanor counts for submitting false travel voucher claims, according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. The Florida A&M alumna surrendered earlier on Monday and was released on a $13,500 bond shortly after 2:30 p.m., according to court records. Sugg's arrest and subsequent investigation and charges stem from her work with the Florida Sports Foundation, in which she served as president of the organization. The Florida Sports Foundation, Inc. is a non-profit organization that serves as the Sports Industry Development Division for the State of Florida. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement released a statement detailing the scope of their investigation. 'The investigation began in November 2024 after FDLE received a criminal referral from the Florida Department of Commerce's Inspector General with an audit of Suggs' business credit card purchases and corresponding travel reimbursements,' the statement read. 'The investigation revealed Suggs misused her FSF-issued credit card to make wire transfers and cash withdraws and personal purchases at casinos during business trips, totaling more than $24,000. The statement continued, 'When asked about the unauthorized charges, Suggs claimed some were for business meals and others were accidentally charged to the business card. She failed to fully repay (the foundation) for her personal expenditures.' In a statement to the Florida A&M community obtained by the Tallahassee Democrat, Interim President Dr. Timothy Beard said he was 'aware of the allegations involving our athletics director, Angela Suggs, while she was working with a former employer. While the matter is unrelated to her duties as an employee at FAMU, we are monitoring the situation and will respond in the future as appropriate.' In September 2024, Suggs was appointed Athletic Director at Florida A&M University, succeeding Tiffani-Dawn Sykes. A proud Tallahassee native and FAMU alum, Suggs has a longstanding connection to FAMU Athletics. She previously served as Senior Associate Athletics Director for External Affairs and Senior Woman Administrator (SWA). During her tenure, she played a key role in developing FAMU Athletics' current branding and logos and helped establish the North End Zone Club. Suggs is a graduate of FAMU High School, earned her degree from Florida A&M, and holds a master's degree from St. Thomas University. Suggs recently facilitated the hiring of Florida State legend Charlie Ward to become the next basketball coach for the institution. Related: HBCU alumnus shines in Starz's 'BMF' Related: Fisk University gymnastics program set to end next year
