FORT LAUDERDALE, FL (Boca Post) — A man wanted for murder in Port Saint Lucie was shot and killed by Fort Lauderdale Police after he aggressively approached officers following a brief chase.
According to the Fort Lauderdale Police Department, FDLE is investigating a police-involved shooting that occurred on Tuesday, March 7th, at approximately 8:50 a.m. This incident occurred in the 1400 block of Northwest 7th Street in the city of Fort Lauderdale.
Preliminary investigation reveals Fort Lauderdale officers received information regarding a vehicle matching the description of a vehicle involved in a homicide in Port Saint Lucie. A short time later, officers located that vehicle in the city of Fort Lauderdale. Officers attempted a high-risk traffic stop at which time the driver of the vehicle refused to stop. Officers then pursued the vehicle beginning at Sunrise Boulevard and Northwest 10th Terrace.
The pursuit continued for approximately two minutes before the vehicle stopped in the 1500 block of Northwest 7th Street. The driver exited the vehicle holding a black metal object resembling a firearm. He then charged toward the officers, taking a shooting stance, while pointing the object in their direction. As a result, multiple officers ultimately discharged their firearms, striking the suspect multiple times. It was later determined that object was a piece of a firearm. Lifesaving measures were administered on scene before the subject was transported by Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue to Broward Health Medical Center. The suspect was pronounced dead at the hospital.
During the brief pursuit, the suspect vehicle left the roadway in 800 block of Northwest 7 th Street and veered onto the property of a business. At this time, multiple unoccupied cars and a pedestrian were struck. The pedestrian was transported to Broward Health Medical Center by Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue. FLPD’s Traffic Homicide Unit is conducting an investigation into the crash. The victim is an adult male and remains in critical condition at the hospital.
The suspect has been identified as Manuel Sanabria, W/M, DOB 4/11/1984. For information regarding the homicide that occurred in Port Saint Lucie, please contact the Port Saint Lucie Police Department. Four FLPD officers, assigned to the Investigations Bureau, discharged their firearms during this incident. In accordance with department policy, these officers have been placed on administrative leave with pay pending the outcome of an internal review.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) will be conducting the investigation into the police-involved shooting as per the policy and agreement established in February 2017.
