NORTH LAUDERDALE, Fla. – A Broward Sheriff’s Office deputy shot and killed a 26-year-old man who witnesses said was armed with a knife on Thursday in North Lauderdale, deputies said.
A witness said the man, later identified as Jeffrey Guy Sacks, of Parkland, was holding the knife and pacing back and forth inside of a store. Broward Sheriff Gregory Tony said dispatch received several 911 calls reporting there was a man with a knife who was cutting himself inside Ross.
“He was pacing. You could see the knife when he lifted his shirt,” the witness told Local 10 News.
The first deputy who arrived saw Sacks walk outside of the store and ordered him to drop the knife, but he didn’t, deputies said.
Authorities said he threatened to harm himself and the deputy before charging at the deputy.
“Our deputy tried to deescalate by doing a tactical retreat, backing away from the individual as he continued to come toward him with a knife,” Tony said.
Witnesses recorded the confrontation.
The shooting occurred around 10:45 p.m. at the shopping center at 7300 West McNab Road.
According to Veda Coleman-Wright, a spokeswoman for BSO, the wounded suspect was taken to a nearby hospital. Tony said Sacks has died.
Those who frequent the area say Sacks was a familiar face.
“I see him in this area asking for money,” one witness said.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating the fatal shooting, per standard protocol in a deputy-involved shooting.
Local 10 News Assignment Desk Editor Emily Hales contributed to this report.