A Florida deputy with 25 years of service died while serving an eviction notice; suspect and locksmith also shot: Sheriff

 A Florida deputy with 25 years of service died while serving an eviction notice; suspect and locksmith also shot: Sheriff

Suspect Michael Halberstam allegedly shot a deputy and a locksmith, killing Deputy Terry Sweeting-Mashkov.

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Authorities said a Florida sheriff's deputy died in the line of duty Friday morning while serving an eviction notice.

The Indian River County Sheriff's Office in Vero Beach wrote on its social media Friday afternoon, "With profound sadness and heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Deputy Terry Sweeting-Mashkov, who was killed in the line of duty on November 21, 2025, while faithfully serving our community."

"He will be deeply missed by every member of our agency, as well as the community he proudly served."

Sheriff Eric Flowers said at a press conference that Sweeting-Mashkov, 47, had served 25 years and 16 days with the Sheriff's Department. Sweeting-Mashkov had reported to a home in the Bermuda Club, a gated community in Vero Beach, where a mother was removing her son, Michael Halberstam.

"What a bad day it was. Six days before Thanksgiving," Flowers told reporters.

As Sweeting-Mashkov, another deputy, and a locksmith reached the home's entry gate, Halberstam allegedly picked up a gun and "began firing indiscriminately at our deputies on scene."

Flowers said another deputy was shot in the shoulder and is recovering, and the locksmith is undergoing surgery and is in critical condition. The suspect is also in critical condition after the deputy opened fire.

Flowers said Sweeting-Mashkov's death was the second in the line of duty in the Indian River County Sheriff's Office's 100 years.

Sweeting-Mashkov began her career as a dispatcher 25 years ago, worked in patrol for 20 years, and was transferred to the Legal Process Civil Unit in 2023.

Flowers said Halberstam faces a narcotics charge from 2006 and a simple assault charge from Virginia in 2015.

He said the department received seven calls this month, most of them from Halberstam's mother, who was concerned about him at home, which ultimately led them to decide to remove him.

Flowers said the suspect was not on the department's radar and said the removal was a "standard call to service."

"Our deputies bravely perform their regular duties every day, and today Deputy Terry Sweeting-Mashko, 47, with 25 years of service, gave her life for this community," he said at the end of the news conference.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said earlier Friday that his office was monitoring the situation after the deputy was shot.