🚨 Venice: Investigators say a man forced his way into an apartment. Minutes later, he was dead.
The Venice Police Department has released preliminary findings in the fatal shooting that occurred early Wednesday morning at the Maren apartment complex on Vistera Boulevard.
According to investigators, 32-year-old Terry Lee Murphy of Venice allegedly forced his way into a resident’s apartment after the resident answered a knock at the door.
Police say surveillance video shows the resident trying to keep Murphy out, but Murphy allegedly forced his way inside, assaulted the resident, repeatedly threatened to shoot him while keeping one hand behind his back in a way that made the resident believe he was armed, and attempted to force the resident to leave his own apartment against his will.
Investigators also say they recovered evidence of prior conflicts between the two men, including evidence the resident provided of previous alleged threats made by Murphy.
During the confrontation, police say the resident retrieved a firearm from a bedroom. A struggle over the gun followed, and the firearm discharged, striking Murphy.
According to investigators, Murphy then fled the apartment, went down two floors, and entered another apartment that had been inadvertently left unlocked. The occupant found Murphy inside, called 911, and Murphy later died at the scene. Police also say Murphy entered the apartment complex by climbing over a perimeter fence before the incident.
The investigation remains active as detectives continue reviewing witness statements, surveillance footage, forensic evidence, and digital evidence.
The Venice Police Department emphasized that it does not determine whether the use of deadly force was legally justified. Once the investigation is complete, the case will be forwarded to the Office of the State Attorney, which will make that determination under Florida law.
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