A Port St. Lucie police sergeant was shot and injured in a confrontation that also left the shooting suspect dead, as reported by Local 10. The incident occurred in the Tradition community west of Interstate 95 during the investigation of a disturbance last night, December 1. Sgt. Erik Levasseur, a 27-year-old veteran of the force, sustained two gunshot wounds to the face, and was rushed to a nearby hospital for surgery.
Officers had originally responded to an address in the 11000 block of Southwest Lake Park Drive, where they encountered the suspect, 32-year-old Frankie Salvatore Riccio, armed with a rifle, according to a statement obtained by TCPalm. Riccio reportedly fired at the officers after ignoring verbal commands issued through the PA system of a police vehicle. The gunfire exchange resulted in Sgt. Levasseur getting shot, while Riccio, was killed on scene, after attempting to outmaneuver the officers.
Port St. Lucie Police Chief Leo Niemczyk, addressing the media, expressed optimism for Levasseur's recovery. "At this time, we’re just asking for prayers," Niemczyk said in a news release from Local 10. "As you can see, I’ve got tremendous support from our law enforcement community, and I can’t thank them enough for that. And at this point all we really need from the community is their support and their prayers."
While the shooting has caused distress in the community, officials assert there is no ongoing threat to the public. The area has since been secured by law enforcement, police told TCPalm. The medical staff at HCA Florida Lawnwood Hospital, where Levasseur underwent surgery and is reported to be in serious condition, remain hopeful about his prospects for making a recovery.
