An armed robbery suspect died following a deputy-involved shooting in Lauderhill late Thursday night, authorities said. The deputy told NBC 6’s Gilma Avalos the suspect fired first.
An armed robbery suspect died following a deputy-involved shooting in Lauderhill late Thursday night, authorities said.
The incident happened just before 11 p.m. after deputies responded to an armed robbery in North Lauderdale, the Broward Sheriff's Office said.
Authorities said two suspects had stolen women's purses outside GG's Restaurant on State Road 7 in North Lauderdale. Deputies tracked one suspect down to the Cypress Grove Apartments at 4200 Northwest 19th Street in Lauderhill where the shooting occurred, the BSO said.
The suspect, 26-year-old Steven Thompson ran through a building and pulled a gun on a deputy and opened fire, authorities said. The deputy, 16-year veteran Gerald Wengert, fired back.
Thompson was wounded and taken to Broward Health Medical Center, where he later died.
No one else was injured. Wengert was placed on administrative assignment pending a review of the incident, per agency policy.
According to the BSO, Thompson has been arrested on felony charges 29 and convicted 11 times for offenses including burglary, grand theft, fraud and drug trafficking. His arrest history dates back to 2003, when he was just 16.
Authorities are searching for the second suspect in the initial robbery. Anyone with info is asked to call Broward Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS.
Check back with NBC 6 South Florida and NBC6.com for updates.
