An Orange County drug house was the site of a lethal confrontation during a SWAT raid yesterday, which left one man dead at the hands of a deputy, the office of the Sheriff reported. Detailed in a release, the SWAT team served their search warrant at approximately 2:20 p.m. on the 5614 Lejune Drive property, a location previously attended by deputies weeks prior on a domestic violence call. During the initial response, deputies uncovered both fentanyl and cocaine in amounts indicative of trafficking, as well as two loaded firearms, one of which was confirmed as stolen, as stated by ClickOrlando.
The purpose behind Friday’s warrant allowed deputies to pursue a more thorough search for additional contraband such as drugs, guns, cash, and cell phones. However, the venture turned deadly when a man, discovered in a bedroom, reportedly reached for a semi-automatic rifle situated behind a door, prompting a deputy to fire their weapon. The man was subsequently transported to the hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries shortly before 3 p.m. "These types of warrants are very high risk for our deputies, and this case illustrates that,” according to ClickOrlando, the Sheriff’s office communicated in their release. At present, the identity of the deceased has not been shared with the public.
Orange County Sheriff John Mina shed some light on the preceding circumstances during a press statement, referencing the contraband found on the deputy’s first encounter with the residence, "While we were there, deputies found trafficking amounts of fentanyl, cocaine as well as two gun… so this search warrant was related to that initial investigation that started on the initial call," said Sheriff Mina, in a report by WESH2.
​Robert Fletcher, who self-identified as a roommate at the scene, described a chaotic situation to WESH2 reporters, "I tried to get out the back door and that had guns beamed on me like I killed the President or something," he recounted. Fletcher was in the midst of playing a video game when the deputies made entry, and he expressed his grief over the incident, saying about the man shot, He was like a son to me. It hurts me. The deputy involved in the shooting has been placed on paid leave while the investigation continues. The situation raises questions about the use of force and the inherent risks of serving such high-stakes warrants.
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