Two deputies from the Broward Sheriff's Office fatally shot a man in Pompano Beach around 10 p.m. Friday.
Deputies were responding to a call about a domestic disturbance. When they arrived, they were directed to the backyard, where the man (whose name has not yet been released) was holding a knife. Both deputies opened fire. Pompano Beach Fire Rescue later confirmed the man was dead on the scene.
Neighbors who were present at the time of the shooting say the man was shot in the back six times. BSO has not yet confirmed that claim.
The incident is under investigation, and both deputies have been placed on administrative leave.
UPDATE: Friends and family confirmed the victim was Gregory Frazier, age 56, who lived at the Pompano Beach home where the shooting took place. His sister Deborah had called 911 because he had been arguing with her daughter. He had a knife in his hand — the small, Swiss Army-style pocket knife that he always carried — she told dispatchers.
By the time officers arrived, the argument was over, and Frazier was sitting outside in his backyard while eating chicken wings and fries.
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Pastor Miguel Rosa, who lives next door, was holding a meeting with several parishioners when he heard what he initially thought were fireworks. At least five shots were fired, he believes.
Frazier was black. His family says the deputies who responded to the call were white. And friends and family say this is why Pompano Beach in particular, and Broward County in general, needs officers who better reflect the populations they serve.
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Note: This post has been updated to clarify that the Frazier family says the three deputies who responded to the initial 911 call were white. After publication, the BSO released further details about the shooting, saying that there were two deputies present, one black and one white.
