PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — A 27-year veteran Port St. Lucie police sergeant was shot twice in the face during a gunfight with an armed suspect Monday evening in what began as a mental health-related neighbor dispute.
WATCH WPTV'S BREAKING NEWS COVERAGE BELOW:
Sergeant Erik LeVasseur was among six officers who responded to the 11000 block of SW Lake Park Drive at approximately 6:08 p.m. for what police described as a neighbor dispute involving mental health issues. Officers were immediately met by 32-year-old Frankie Salvatore Riccio, who was armed with an AK-47-type rifle.
Riccio disregarded several verbal commands given through a patrol vehicle's PA system before opening fire on officers. Officers returned fire during the exchange.
LeVasseur sustained two gunshot wounds to the face when Riccio opened fire a second time and attempted to flank officers who were using a patrol vehicle as cover. Riccio repositioned himself at a vantage point and fired at officers in close quarters before officers returned fire, striking and killing him.
LeVasseur, a supervisor on road patrol, was transported to HCA Florida Lawnwood Medical Center in Fort Pierce for medical treatment.
The sergeant is out of surgery and recovering in the ICU. The Port St. Lucie Police Department said on Tuesday morning that LeVasseur remains in critical condition.
"This is the notification that you dread every day," Niemczyk said during a press conference outside the hospital.
The other five officers were not injured, though two of the six responding officers were trainees. It's unclear how many officers returned fire during the incident.
Several shell casings were found at the scene. Riccio died on scene and his body remains there as part of the investigation.
WATCH BELOW: Police Chief Leo Niemczyk speaks outside the hospital
WPTV reporter Brooke Chau asked Chief Niemczyk in a press conference overnight if the suspect was visiting or living with his mother in the TownPark community. That information is still under investigation.
Chief Niemczyk explains the initial call came in from the mother of the suspect saying her son had been abusing marijuana for the past 24 hours. She had been having difficulty with him and thought he was armed with a hunting rifle.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) has been notified and is conducting an independent investigation, which is standard protocol for officer-involved shootings.
Port St. Lucie Mayor Shannon M. Martin released a statement via Facebook.
Last night, Sergeant Eric LeVasseur, a 27-year veteran of our police department, was injured in an officer-involved shooting. He is currently receiving medical care at Lawnwood, and we are deeply grateful that early signs for his recovery are very hopeful. Eric has given so much of himself to our community, and he will be surrounded with unwavering support, love, and strength as he begins his healing journey. We are profoundly thankful for the courage and quick actions of the officers on scene, whose selflessness helped prevent further harm. They faced an incredibly difficult moment with bravery, and we are committed to walking beside them as they process what they experienced. I ask our community to please keep Sergeant LeVasseur, his family, and all of the officers involved in your thoughts and prayers. Your compassion and support mean more than ever and will help lift them through these challenging days toward recovery and hope.
The city of Port St. Lucie said it is "grateful for the hard work and dedication of our police officers each and every day. Their courage and commitment are on display every shift, in every corner of our community, to protect and serve our residents. Last night was a stark reminder of the risks and sacrifices our officers make."
This is a developing story. Stay with WPTV for updates.
