Demarco Newman, 43

Palm Bay, Florida
August 02, 2016

Agencies: Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office Florida | Florida Department of Law Enforcement FDLE | Palm Bay Police Department Florida

Cause of death: Shooting

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Last updated: almost 6 years ago

Overview

Investigators say 43 year-old Demarco Newman shot and wounded his wife as she called 911 for help, hours before SWAT team members stormed the small cottage home and shot him to death in a daring rescue.

The woman, in her 30s, remains in critical condition at Holmes Regional Medical Center. She is suffering from life-threatening gunshot wounds inflicted by the man during the confrontation, police said.

The shooter, who investigators say was left paralyzed when he was shot in a separate incident several years ago, was pronounced dead at scene. The officers involved with the shooting were not injured and were placed on administrative leave with pay.

The domestic incident unfolded as police dispatchers received a call at 7:17 p.m. Tuesday from a woman who said her husband was cutting himself and armed with a gun threatening to kill her, according to Lt. Mike Bandish with the Palm Bay Police Department.

“While we were responding, she said she was barricading herself in the bathroom, and we sent units right away,” Bandish said overnight.

While the officers were on their way to the Lockheed Street home, Bandish said, the woman was screaming on the phone saying that her husband was breaking in the door when her phone went dead.

Officers set up a perimeter around the darkened street and cottage complex. Several residents were also evacuated. Officers also found they were no longer were able to make contact with anyone inside.

The sheriff’s department, aided with the use of a bomb squad robot, entered the home. When SWAT members breached the door, they heard the victim saying she’d been shot.