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Knife-wielding man yelled at officer to 'shoot,' Palm Beach Gardens police say

Shawn Weiland had also been subject of 2020 restraining order in which his mother says he left her bruised
Palm Beach Gardens police vehicles after officer-involved shooting, Dec. 22, 2021
Posted at 5:42 PM, Dec 23, 2021
and last updated 2021-12-23 18:10:25-05

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. — New details are emerging about the chaotic scene early Wednesday, moments before an officer-involved shooting in Palm Beach Gardens.

Shawn Weiland, the man Palm Beach Gardens police shot about 7:40 a.m. along PGA Boulevard near Interstate 95, is facing charges of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer and resisting with violence.

The 34-year-old was not present for his court appearance Thursday morning as he's still hospitalized at St. Mary's Medical Center.

According to newly released court documents, a security guard at a nearby hotel called police after a man, later identified as Weiland, tried to "run up" on a guest.

Police claim Weiland was armed with knives in both hands and refused to drop them when they encountered him walking in and out of traffic on PGA Boulevard.

At one-point, police said, he started yelling "shoot" at an officer.

Police said a taser had no effect on Weiland, who then took "three quick steps" towards an officer who shot the man three times.

Court records show Weiland was previously arrested for domestic battery and assault in 2012 and possession of oxycodone in 2011.

Both cases were dropped by prosecutors.

A judge issued a restraining order last year after Weiland's mother told the court that he hit and bruised her.

He also has an extensive citation history, ranging from DUI to driving on a suspended license to routine infractions, according to court records.

A man who said he lives near Weiland and who did not want to show his face told Contact 5 the 34-year-old would often knock on his door and exhibit what he called weird behavior.

"We actually called the police once and he was knocking on other doors, too, asking for somebody," he said. "I finally had to tell him, 'Hey, don't knock on my door anymore.'"

No one answered the door at Weiland's Palm Beach Gardens address when Contact 5 knocked on the door for comment.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the state attorney's office are investigating.

The officers involved are on paid administrative leave, which is standard procedure. Their names have not been released.