The call came in as a neighbor dispute, a routine request for assistance. But on Monday evening in Port St. Lucie, that routine shattered into a nightmare for six responding officers.
Within moments of arriving at a home on SW Lake Park Drive, they were confronted by a scene of unimaginable danger: an adult male standing outside, armed with an assault rifle. The ambush was immediate, a burst of gunfire erupting as the suspect opened fire.
A 27-year veteran of the force, Sergeant Erik LeVasseur, bore the brunt of the attack, struck in the face by a bullet. The officers returned fire, and the suspect was fatally shot, ending the immediate threat but leaving a community reeling.
Police Chief Leo Niemczyk described the moment he received the news as a dread realized, a fear inherent in leading a law enforcement agency. The possibility of such violence, he explained, is a constant weight on the shoulders of those who protect and serve.
Thankfully, none of the other responding officers sustained injuries during the exchange. The focus now rests entirely on Sergeant LeVasseur, who was rushed to HCA Florida Lawnwood Hospital in Fort Pierce and immediately taken into surgery.
While details remain preliminary, authorities believe the shooting stemmed from a dispute involving a mental health crisis. The investigation is ongoing, seeking to understand the full sequence of events that led to this devastating confrontation.
Chief Niemczyk expressed cautious optimism regarding Sergeant LeVasseur’s prognosis, but his plea was simple and heartfelt: prayers for a swift and complete recovery. The entire department, and the city, now holds its breath.
