The Indian River County deputy injured in Friday’s deadly eviction shooting in Vero Beach has been released from the hospital, according to the sheriff’s office.
In a Facebook post shared Sunday afternoon, the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office announced that Deputy Florentino Arizpe was released from HCA Florida Lawnwood Hospital around 12 p.m. and is now recovering at home with strong community support.
“Today brought a much-needed moment of relief and gratitude,” the sheriff’s office said.
However, the sheriff’s office confirmed that David Long, the locksmith working alongside deputies during the eviction, remains hospitalized in critical condition.
“Please keep him and his family close in your thoughts,” the statement continued.
The department also said it is still mourning the loss of Sgt. Terri Sweeting-Mashkow, who was killed in the shooting. Arizpe and Long were also injured during the exchange of gunfire.
“Her courage, service, and sacrifice will forever be honored,” the sheriff’s office said. “We stand with her family, friends, and colleagues as we mourn together. Sergeant Sweeting-Mashkow will never be forgotten.”
Mashkow, 47, was a 25-year veteran of the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office. She was fatally wounded when gunfire erupted during what Sheriff Eric Flowers described as a routine service call. Her death marked only the second time in 100 years that a deputy had been killed in the line of duty in the county.
The shooting happened at a gated community in the 1100 block of Governors Way in Vero Beach, roughly 140 miles north of Miami. Flowers said Mashkow, Arizpe, and other deputies were carrying out an eviction requested by Halberstam’s family when the situation turned violent.
“This is not someone that was on our radar – this was our standard call for service, the eviction, the regular duties that our officers do day in and day out,” Flowers said at a Friday press conference.
Halberstam, described as being in his 30s, was shot by deputies and hospitalized in critical condition. He underwent surgery but died from his injuries on Saturday afternoon, the sheriff’s office said in an earlier Facebook post.
Authorities confirmed Halberstam had a prior criminal record in Virginia, and there had been at least one previous call for service at the residence where the shooting occurred.
The same Facebook post also announced Mashkow’s posthumous promotion to sergeant. From now on, she will be formally addressed as Sgt. Mashkow. The sheriff’s office said funeral services will be announced at a later date.
“Thank you to all of our community for your continued support during these difficult times,” the department said.
Sergio Candido contributed to this report.
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