A routine eviction turned deadly Friday morning in Indian River County, Florida, after a gunman opened fire on deputies delivering a court-ordered notice.
A tragic shooting unfolded in the Bermuda Club community north of Vero Beach when deputies with the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office attempted to serve an eviction notice to 37-year-old Michael Halberstam. What began as a standard civil service call quickly erupted into violence.
Deputy Terri Mashkow, 47, was fatally shot during the confrontation. Mashkow, a 25-year veteran of the sheriff’s office, was remembered as a dedicated and respected public servant. Another deputy was shot in the shoulder and transported to HCA Florida Lawnwood Hospital, where he is expected to recover. A locksmith assisting with the eviction was also critically injured and remains in surgery.
According to Sheriff Eric Flowers, Halberstam allegedly retrieved a firearm and opened fire without warning. Deputies returned fire, striking the suspect, who is now in critical condition and undergoing surgery.
Sheriff Flowers emphasized that Halberstam had not been flagged as a threat prior to the incident, noting, “This was a routine call. Halberstam was not on our radar… there was nothing about the eviction service itself that indicated an elevated risk.” However, deputies also revealed that Halberstam’s mother had contacted authorities seven times within the past month requesting assistance in removing her son from the property.
The incident marks only the second line-of-duty death in the sheriff’s office’s century-long history.
A massive law enforcement response followed the shooting, with dozens of units, an armored response vehicle, and helicopters from neighboring counties rushing to the area. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis later addressed the public, confirming that the Florida Department of Law Enforcement is assisting with the investigation.
The case remains active, and additional updates will be provided as authorities release more information.
