South Florida

Suspect Shot and Killed by Police in Fort Lauderdale: Officials

A suspect who was reportedly barricaded inside a home in Fort Lauderdale was shot and killed by officers Thursday, officials said.

The standoff was over Thursday evening, but the investigation had just begun on Southwest 29th Avenue and 29th Terrace. The scene of the crime is a home well known to neighbors and police for domestic disputes, and now for a police-involved shooting death.

Hours after the deadly ending, detectives removed a mattress, box spring and other evidence from the home. The SWAT team swarmed the house just before 3:00 p.m., killing the armed suspect as he held a woman hostage inside.

The suspect was later identified as 29-year-old Javoris Washington, a Fort Lauderdale resident.

"There was tons of SWAT all over the place, with assault weapons, and that was it, surrounding the entire house," said neighbor Jennifer Diefenbach.

Neighbors said it all started as a domestic dispute - a loud fight in the driveway.

"And then I heard the lady crying, and the renter of the house came out and said leave that lady alone," said Tanya Alexander. "I didn’t really hear anything he was saying, but I just heard the woman yelling."

When officers first arrived, family members told them the suspect had a gun and might be high on the dangerous drug flakka. Negotiators made their way inside - but after tense discussions - investigators say SWAT members were forced to open fire.

"Obviously, there was a point during that encounter, where this male took an action that our officers felt was going to result in the loss of life or grave danger to the female being held hostage," said Captain Frank Sousa if the Fort Lauderdale Police Department.

The home’s owner tells NBC 6 that his longtime renter is a grandmother who has had issues with her son in the past.

"I understand she does have a troublesome son, that’s had some issues, he doesn’t live there, he’s older, he’s an adult," said Dr. Bud Fine.

Distraught family members packed their car and left the home late in the evening, too upset to speak with the media. And as investigators work to uncover what happened, neighbors say they are glad the ordeal is over.

"It’s a little scary, I never expected it... it’s not what I expected when I got up this morning, so I’m glad it’s over with."

Police said Washington has a long history of domestic violence and child abuse. The officers involved have been placed on administrative leave, which is common practice in a police-involved shooting.

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