Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigates a deputy-involved shooting in Pompano Beach after a barricaded suspect fired at deputies

Pompano Beach, Florida – The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) is conducting a thorough investigation into a deputy-involved shooting that occurred Tuesday in Pompano Beach, drawing attention from local law enforcement and the community. The incident unfolded at a residence on 2306 Bay Drive, where deputies responded to a report of suspicious activity at approximately 1:19 p.m. on September 16, according to the Broward Sheriff’s Office (BSO) Homicide Unit.

When deputies arrived, they made contact with a subject inside the property, which was supposed to be vacant. The individual, later identified as Esterlin Appolon, fled to the third floor and barricaded himself in a bedroom, prompting the deployment of BSO’s SWAT team and hostage negotiators. The negotiators spent several hours attempting to reach Appolon and resolve the situation peacefully. Despite these efforts, Appolon reportedly made threats that he intended to force deputies to shoot him.

According to BSO reports, while deputies were inside the residence, Appolon began firing a weapon in their direction. Deputies then observed that the suspect appeared to have sustained a self-inflicted gunshot wound while barricaded in the bedroom. In response, deputies attempted to provide first aid and take Appolon into custody. During the incident, a BSO K9 was deployed to assist in securing the scene. Appolon reportedly struck the K9 repeatedly, prompting deputies to discharge their firearms. The suspect was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Read also: Attorney General James Uthmeier announces arrests in a large organized fraud ring as Florida intensifies crackdown on repeat offenders

The circumstances surrounding the shooting are now under investigation by the FDLE, which is tasked with reviewing all deputy-involved shootings in Florida. Additionally, BSO’s Homicide and Crime Scene units are conducting a parallel investigation into the events that led up to the shooting, while the Internal Affairs Unit is performing an administrative review of the deputies’ actions. The two deputies who discharged their weapons have been placed on administrative assignment pending the outcome of the investigations.

The incident has raised questions regarding how law enforcement responds to armed subjects who barricade themselves in private residences. Law enforcement officials emphasize that the safety of deputies, civilians, and responding personnel remains a top priority in such high-risk situations. The combination of a barricaded suspect, a self-inflicted injury, and an active firearm creates a volatile environment requiring careful coordination between negotiators, SWAT teams, and uniformed deputies.

Broward Sheriff’s Office officials are urging the public to allow law enforcement to complete their investigation before drawing conclusions. The deployment of specialized units and negotiators highlights the department’s commitment to seeking peaceful resolutions whenever possible. In this case, despite hours of negotiation, the suspect’s behavior escalated into a dangerous confrontation that ultimately resulted in his death.

FDLE investigators are expected to review all body camera footage, dispatch recordings, and evidence collected from the scene. The administrative review by BSO will focus on procedural adherence and whether all protocols were followed during the incident. Once the investigations are complete, findings will determine if any additional actions or recommendations are necessary for future responses.

Read also: Broward County Public Schools joins forces with the Florida Panthers to launch the first ever Reading Challenge for students and families

While the community processes the events of September 16, officials have stressed the importance of safety and vigilance in residential neighborhoods. Incidents like these are rare but underscore the challenges law enforcement faces when responding to unpredictable situations involving firearms and barricaded suspects.

The Broward Sheriff’s Office will continue to provide updates as the investigations progress. Residents are reminded to contact BSO or FDLE with any information that may be relevant, and the public is encouraged to respect the ongoing investigations to ensure a fair and thorough review of the incident.

This tragic event serves as a sobering reminder of the risks faced by law enforcement officers in the line of duty and the complexities involved in handling high-risk encounters safely and professionally.