FDLE to probe shooting in McKinney Park
FDLE to probe shooting in McKinney Park
ROXANNE BROWN | Staff Writer
roxannebrown@dailycommercial.com
At a press conference on Dec. 13, Clermont Police Chief Charles Broadway said an autopsy conducted earlier in the day confirms Joshua Waldron, who died in an officer involved shooting Tuesday, shot himself.
"As reported on the medical examiner's case synopsis report, 'Cause of death, gunshot wound to the head. Manner of death, suicide,' " Broadway said, referring to Waldron. "The round that was recovered from the subject is a small caliber .22 round, consistent with the caliber of the .22 rifle firearm that was found at the scene where Mr. Waldron was located."
During the press conference, Broadway said the Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating the shooting, prohibiting him from releasing much information. That includes claims made several weeks ago by a female victim that Waldron was harassing her. Additional offenses as documented in a police report are stated as "simple stalking."
"There was a report filed in reference to a female victim that claims that Mr. Waldron was harassing her by text messages and verbal threats; threatening to kill her, kill a child and kill himself," Broadway said.
According to a report taken on Nov. 8 by a Clermont officer, the woman says Waldron made calls and sent her about 50 text messages a day for two weeks. The report also states the woman said "she is in fear for her life as well as her son's."
Still, she signed an affadavit and intent not to prosecute, with a clause that she could prosecute at a later date.
On Nov. 9, a supplement to the police report shows officers spoke with Waldron, at which time he said "he should not have sent the text messages to (the victim) but he was upset."
"I advised (Waldron) that threatening to kill someone is a crime and he advised that he is depressed and should have never sent her those threatening texts," investigator Eric Lane wrote in the supplemental report.
"I asked (Waldron) if he had any intention of killing himself or (victims) and he advised he did not."
On Tuesday, the day of the shooting, police initially said officer James Rooney had been patrolling the school zone around Clermont Elementary and the Clermont Headstart when he saw a man, later identified as Waldron, smoking in McKinney Park -- where smoking is illegal.
After a confrontation and shots were fired, the suspect fled and was later found in a wooded field, shot in the head with a revolver beside him.
At the press conference Wednesday, Broadway said whether or not Waldron was smoking a cigar or marijuana is being investigated by FDLE. Toxicology reports will show whether Waldron had any drugs in his system, he said.
Broadway said FDLE will determine whether the child Waldron threatened attends any of the schools located near McKinney park, whether the woman he threatened lives nearby and what exactly Waldron was doing at the park.
Broadway is expecting a preliminary result report and synopsis of FDLE's findings during a meeting on Tuesday.
Rooney, he said, will remain on paid administrative leave until the investigation is concluded.
Friday, December 21, 2012 - www.dailycommercial.com/21dec2012fdle