The Indian River County, Florida community is in shock after a shooting that left a female deputy sheriff dead, a second deputy wounded and a locksmith injured as officers attempted to serve an eviction notice at a Vero Beach home.
The incident occurred on Friday, November 21, 2025, just six days before Thanksgiving, which has amplified the emotional impact among residents and authorities.
Michael Halberstam shot at officers
A sheriff’s deputy has died and another was injured on Friday after a suspect opened fire when officers were attempting to serve an eviction notice in Indian River County, Florida, according to the local sheriff.
Read more: https://t.co/9WOFM1Zwqn pic.twitter.com/8t2NZYhKBL
– ABC News (@ABC) November 21, 2025
According to Sheriff Eric Flowers, deputies went to the home to execute an eviction requested by the owner of the property, who is also the mother of the suspect, identified as Michael Halberstam.
These types of calls, according to Flowers, are part of the daily responsibilities of sheriff’s deputies, “It’s a standard call. Something our officers bravely do every day.”
While the two deputies were at the entrance of the house together with the locksmith appointed for the procedure, Michael Halberstam took a gun and opened fire indiscriminately, according to the official version.
The officers responded to the attack and shot the suspect, who was hit multiple times and was transported to a hospital, where he remains in critical condition.
Sheriff Terri Mashkow was killed in the line of duty.
SHOOTING UPDATE | Sheriff Flowers provides update in fatal deputy-involved shooting in Indian River County.
WATCH LIVE: https://t.co/57MHrYFwqX pic.twitter.com/mf8D8qcxBV
– WPEC CBS12 News (@CBS12) November 21, 2025
Authorities identified the deceased officer as Sheriff Terri Sweeting-Mashkow, 47, an officer with years of service in Indian River County.
Sheriff Flowers, visibly distraught, said during the press conference, “She gave her life to this community. She had a beautiful heart and will be deeply missed.”
Terri Mashkow becomes one more of the officers killed in the line of duty in the United States, a country where every year dozens of officers lose their lives in situations that begin as routine calls.
A suspect with a criminal record and disturbing messages on networks
Michael Halberstam, the suspect, has a history of prior narcotics and misdemeanor assault charges, the sheriff’s office confirmed.
In addition, investigators reported finding “bizarre” posts and negative messages directed toward the sheriff’s office on his social networks, although they have not determined if the content is directly related to the attack.
Authorities have also not clarified the motives that led Michael Halberstam’s mother to initiate the eviction process, and have indicated that the investigation remains open.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, a Republican, said during a press conference that police were working with sheriff’s deputies and local authorities to clarify the facts.
At another press conference, which like DeSantis’ was not related to the shooting, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier called for a moment of silence for the deceased officer.
This incident comes two weeks after another Florida Police officer from Miami-Dade County was shot and killed during an altercation with an individual while attending a motor vehicle traffic accident.
With information from EFE