The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) is now investigating an officer-involved shooting which led to injuries for two Daytona Beach Police Department (DBPD) officers and the death of a suspect who was wanted for attempted murder.
A tipster who wishes to remain anonymous called law enforcement for assistance at 2:38 p.m. this afternoon (August 29, 2020) saying that she knew the whereabouts of 44-year-old Michael A. Harris.
DBPD officers and members of the Holly Hill Police Department (HHPD) were then dispatched to 1629 Espanola Avenue, Unit 104 in Holly Hill to bring Harris into custody.
DBPD’s Criminal Investigations Division (CID) had an active arrest warrant for Harris in relation to the shooting of a woman on August 18, 2020 at the Travelers Inn in Daytona Beach (850 South Ridgewood Avenue).
A perimeter was established around the apartment, at which point officers approached the apartment on foot and then entered to try and arrest Harris.
Body camera video from officers on scene show Harris attempted to evade the officers by running into a bedroom. As officers tried to enter the bedroom, Harris fired through the open door with a handgun. Law enforcement then exchanged fire repeatedly with Harris, wounding him. He died at the scene.
Speaking to reporters afterward, DBPD Chief Craig Capri says Harris’ decision to use a gun forced the officers to use their weapons in self-defense.
One round struck the ballistic vest of a full-time patrol officer. The vest stopped the bullet from penetrating, leaving him with a bruise in the right chest area. He is expected to recover after he went to Halifax Health Medical Center (HHMC) for treatment.
Another full-time DBPD officer on scene tripped and fell outside of the apartment while shots were being fired. Paramedics took him to HHMC, where he is being treated for injuries to his head and neck. He remains in stable condition and should recover from his injuries.
Those officers are now on paid administrative leave while FDLE investigates, which is standard in officer-involved shootings. Their identities are not available for release currently since the FDLE investigation is active and ongoing.