Latest news with #Tri-Marea
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Yahoo
Titusville police say man killed by officers was armed with a gun
The Titusville Police Department released more information about the investigation into an officer-involved shooting in February that left a man dead. Officers say 25-year-old Tri-Marea Charles was armed with a gun when they opened fire. Now the police chief says the Florida Department of Law Enforcement has concluded its investigation and started an internal review process. The state attorney's office must still complete a legal review to see if the police officers committed any crimes. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
Yahoo
14-02-2025
- Yahoo
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.
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- Yahoo
Protests over deadly police shooting stop Titusville City Council meeting
The Titusville City Council meeting went offline for more than a half-hour Tuesday after protesters shouted down the city's mayor over the lack of answers to a deadly officer-involved shooting last week. Police said they shot Tri-Marea Charles, 25, Friday evening after they arrived at a scene and found Charles holding a handgun. After the shooting, the police chief posted a video calling for patience as FDLE agents investigated. That did little to deflect the anger at a department that has now had a deadly response for the second time in three months. Read: Police investigating overnight officer involved shooting in Titusville 'Hopeless,' his uncle, James Saunders, said, as to how he and the others in the community were feeling. Charles' family and friends, who led Tuesday's march on city hall, said they were bothered by the lack of evidence available to them. They claimed they still hadn't been able to see Charles' body and had not been given the chance to view video of the shooting – including video that proved Charles was holding a gun. 'If it's wrong, he's in the wrong, but other than that we feel like he wasn't in the wrong and Titusville Police Department needs to answer for that,' Saunders said. Read: Daytona Beach businesses are getting revved up for the big race Charles' mother, Samantha, followed several angry speakers who denounced the city's chief and talked about the supposed inconsiderate way Black residents' cases were handled by the city. Her request for answers was met by an apologetic-sounding mayor. 'I understand this is frustrating,' Andrew Connors told her, 'The investigation is not with our city, unfortunately our hands are tied as well.' Read: United Golfers Association celebrates 100 years of legacy That's when the protests began. With many in the audience standing and shouting, the mayor called a recess and waited until the protesters filed outside to march back to their original meeting point. He told WFTV during the pause that he had nothing more to add to what he told Charles' family, and he was also waiting for FDLE. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
Yahoo
08-02-2025
- Yahoo
1 person dead following officer-involved shooting in Titusville, officials say
The Brief The Titusville Police Department said one person is dead following an officer-involved shooting Friday night. Officials said the Titusville officers involved in the shooting were not injured. Reports show the suspect, 26-year-old Tri-Marea Rayquan Charles, was transported to the hospital for a gunshot injury and was later pronounced dead. TITUSVILLE, Fla. - The Titusville Police Department said one person is dead following an officer-involved shooting Friday night. What we know According to officials, officers arrived on the scene at approximately 9:15 p.m. Feb. 7 in the area of Robbins Avenue in Titusville. "Officers responded to the area shortly after 9:00 p.m. in reference to a suspicious incident investigation," said a Titusville police spokesperson. "Officers encountered an individual armed with a handgun, and shots were fired." Officials identified the shooter on Saturday afternoon as 26-year-old Tri-Marea Rayquan Charles. Reports state Charles was taken to the hospital for a gunshot injury and was later pronounced dead. The Titusville officers involved in the shooting were not injured. What's next Officials said the Florida Department of Law Enforcement responded to the scene and is conducting an investigation into the shooting. Brevard County Sheriff's Office responded to the scene to process the forensics and evidence portion of the investigation. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement will release more information at the conclusion of the investigation. This is a developing story. Check back soon for more updates. 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 This story was written based on information shared by the Titusville Police Department's Public Information Officer.
