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Suspect, deputy ID'd in deputy-involved shooting

Posted at 2:35 PM, Oct 30, 2018
and last updated 2018-10-31 12:53:57-04

A Palm Beach County sheriff's deputy is on paid leave after shooting a man Tuesday afternoon near Palm Springs.

Sheriff Ric Bradshaw said his deputy approached a man in the parking lot of a Sears outlet on the southwest side of Forest Hill Blvd and Military Trail.

The sheriff says the suspect punched the deputy in the face, who then fell to the ground.

Bradshaw said the man also reached for the deputy's gun.

"(The deputy) feels that he's getting ready to lose consciousness, and the guy will take his firearm from him and possibly kill him. At that point, he regains control of his firearm and fires one shot, hits the guy in the chest and the guy goes down," said Bradshaw.

The sheriff said two bail bondsmen nearby heard the gunshot, ran over and handcuffed the man.

Everyone is expected to survive.

Thursday morning, the suspect was identified as 36-year-old Ramon Enerio Betances. He's facing charges of battery on a law enforcement officer and depriving a law enforcement officer of means of protection/communication.

The deputy was identified as Alvaro Palacio.