Fdle Investigates Deputy-Involved Shooting In Pompano Beach

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating a deputy-involved shooting that took place Tuesday night in Pompano Beach. According to detectives from the Broward Sheriff’s Office Homicide Unit, around 1:19 p.m. on Sept. 16, Broward County Regional Communications received a report regarding a suspicious incident at a residence located at 2306 Bay Drive. Upon arrival, deputies encountered a person inside the property that was meant to be unoccupied. The individual, identified as Esterlin Appolon, fled to the third floor and barricaded himself in a bedroom. BSO’s SWAT team and hostage negotiators were dispatched to the scene. The negotiators spent several hours communicating with Appolon in an attempt to reach a peaceful resolution. However, the suspect issued threats indicating he would force deputies to shoot him. While deputies were inside the home, the suspect began firing a weapon in their direction. Deputies discovered that the suspect was in a bedroom with what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound. They then attempted to administer first aid and take the suspect into custody. A BSO K9 was deployed, at which point Appolon repeatedly struck the K9. During the incident, deputies were compelled to discharge their weapons. Appolon was pronounced dead at the scene. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating the details surrounding the deputy-involved shooting. BSO’s Homicide and Crime Scene units are examining the events that led to the shooting, and BSO’s Internal Affairs Unit is performing an administrative review of the incident. The two deputies who discharged their weapons are currently on administrative assignment, pending the outcome of the investigation.