PAHOKEE, Fla. — A violent overnight crime spree left three people dead, including the suspect, a Palm Beach County deputy hospitalized and another person injured.
"Here's what we're looking at this morning: multiple crime scenes and multiple deaths," said Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw.
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TIMELINE OF EVENTS
According to the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office, between 10:12 p.m. and 10:54 p.m. on Wednesday, the following occurred:
1. Investigators said the first shooting took place at 171 Booker Place, where Charles Curtis McCloud Jr., 44, shot two men. The victims were identified as Henry McClean Jr., 37, and Francisco Pacheco, 40. They were pronounced dead at the scene.
2. A second shooting occurred in the 8700 block of Doveland Drive. Multiple shots were fired; however, no one was struck by the gunfire.
3. The third shooting occurred at a convenience store, located at 750 Belle Glade Road, where deputies said McCloud shot Anthony Brown, 54. He is expected to survive.
4. Shortly thereafter, a deputy-involved shooting occurred.
As a Palm Beach County deputy was conducting a preliminary investigation into the reported shots fired in the 8700 block of Doveland Drive, securing the area with crime scene tape, investigators said McCloud intentionally drove his black GMC SUV at the deputy, striking him and pushing him about 40 feet.
The sheriff's office said McCloud then got out of the vehicle armed with a firearm and attempted to shoot the injured deputy.
"The suspect actually got out of this vehicle with a handgun and was going towards a deputy who was on the ground," Bradshaw said. "The deputy was able to get his firearm out and (fatally) shoot the individual before that guy shot him.”
A second Palm Beach County deputy also discharged his service weapon during the encounter.
The deputy was taken to St. Mary's Medical Center, where he is being treated for a compound fracture to his ankle along with other injuries. Bradshaw said the deputy is fortunate to be alive.
"His training kicked in," said Bradshaw. "What really kicked in was his courage and his will to survive and not let this guy get out of the car with the gun and shoot him on the ground. That's what the guy's intent was. So yeah, he showed a lot of courage and a lot of stamina."
Investigators said McCloud was armed with a 9mm Canik brand handgun.
The sheriff's office said McCloud had an extensive criminal history, including charges for rioting, resisting an officer with violence, armed robbery, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, felon in possession of a firearm, carrying a concealed weapon, narcotics equipment/possession and escape or attempted escape from a county facility.
The involved deputy has been placed on administrative leave. The sheriff's office said Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Palm Beach County State Attorney’s Office, and PBSO's Violent Crimes Division are actively investigating this case.
Investigators cleared the scene by 7 a.m. Thursday.
