
Multimedia video and photos for Headline Surfer / TOP: The knife allegedly held by a "schizophrenic man" who was shot and killed by an Orange County Sheriff's deputy defending himself, according to the law enforcement agency, is shown above as evidence. A screenshot of Sheriff John Mina from a video below is also shown.
By HENRY FREDERICK / Headline Surfer
ORLANDO, Fla. -- A "schizophrenic man who reportedly was not taking his medication and was acting erratically" was fatally shot by a deputy after menacingly wielding a knife, according to Orange County Sheriff John Mina.
This was the second of two deputy-involved shooting confrontations with alleged assailants on Saturday. In both cases, Mina refused to release the names of those involved while investigations are ongoing, but pledged to release updated info along with bodycam footage in both encounters.
Here is a synopsis of the fatal confrontation that occurred, as described by Sheriff Mina:
On Saturday, June 7, 2025, at approximately 3:30 p.m., deputies responded to 203 N. Ortman Drive in reference to a schizophrenic man who reportedly was not taking his medication and was acting erratically in the street. Deputies made contact with the man’s father at the home, who told deputies his son was in the bedroom and had a knife.
Deputies tried to get the man to speak with them for five minutes before he exited the room, and within one second charged and tried to stab one of the deputies on scene. The man grabbed the deputy’s gun while he swung the knife at the deputy. The deputy then discharged his service weapon, striking the man several times. Deputies rendered aid on the scene until paramedics arrived and transported the man to the hospital, where he died.
The deputy who fired his weapon was transported to the hospital, where he was treated for lacerations to his head and is in good condition.
"As is our standard procedure, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating the shooting and will turn over its findings to the State Attorney’s Office for review," Mina said. "Once that process is completed, OCSO will conduct its own internal investigation. The deputy who fired his weapon is on temporary paid administrative leave pending the initial FDLE review."
Mina declined to identify the man killed or the deputy who shot him until completion of the OCSO investigation.
Multimedia Video: 2nd of two deputy-involved shootings on the same day
Just before 8 a.m. today, an OCSO patrol deputy initiated a check-in with a suspicious person behind the Save Discount Store at 2793 N. Hiawassee Rd. The deputy approached the man to ask what he was doing in a fenced-in area behind the store. The man jumped the fence as if he was going to speak to the deputy, but instead grabbed a bag from the ground and started to flee.
The deputy grabbed the man in an attempt to detain him, and at that point, the man started to fight with the deputy, punching him repeatedly, and the man forced the deputy to the ground, where he punched the deputy in the head at least 10 additional times while he was on the ground.
During the fight, two objects, later determined to be firearms, fell out of the bag and were in proximity to the fight. The fight lasted for one minute and sixteen seconds, and when the suspect got off the deputy, he ran toward the firearms, which were still on the ground, and picked them up. That’s when the deputy was able to get to his feet and fire his service weapon, striking the man.
Deputies rendered aid until paramedics were able to get to the scene and transport the man to the hospital, where he was last reported to be in stable condition. The deputy who fired his service weapon was also transported to the hospital to be checked for a head injury. He is currently in good condition.
The suspect will face charges of aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer, and other charges are possible. As is the OCSO's standard procedure, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating the shooting and will turn over its findings to the State Attorney’s Office for review. Once that process is completed, OCSO will conduct its own internal investigation. The deputy who fired his weapon is on temporary, paid administrative leave pending the initial FDLE review.
Mina declined to name the deputy or the injured suspect pending the investigation results.