INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — A 29-calendar year-old died from a single gunshot wound to the lower upper body in what officials termed “suicide by legislation enforcement” all through a 2019 standoff with SWAT deputies, in accordance to lately released health-related examiner’s records.
An autopsy confirmed Michael Kifer sustained intense inner injuries and bleeding from the gunshot on Nov. 1, 2019.
Former Chief Clinical Examiner Dr. Roger Mittleman done the autopsy Nov. 4, 2019 and identified the bullet handed by means of Kifer’s stomach and liver, according to the report obtained Jan. 27.
At the time, officials did not release information about exactly where the bullet entered.
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A grand jury identified in February 2020 that Deputy Dennis McKenzie’s steps in taking pictures Kifer were justified, Chief Assistant Point out Legal professional Steve Gosnell said.
At the very least just one deputy went to the household in the 1100 block 35th Avenue Southwest before the afternoon of Nov. 1, 2019 for a complaint about Kifer harmful objects in the residence, in accordance to the report.
Kifer’s standoff with a SWAT device and crisis negotiators was the 3rd time deputies have been at the house that day on problems Kifer was below the influence of medicines or intoxicated, Sheriff Deryl Loar mentioned at the time.
Blood tests and toxicology outcomes showed a .06 blood alcoholic beverages amount (The authorized limit is .08) and no evidence of major narcotics, according to the autopsy. There was a existence of THC, the psychoactive component of marijuana.
On the last call to the house, officials mentioned deputies have been explained to Kifer experienced threatened somebody in a cellphone call and he was armed with a knife and by yourself in the dwelling.
Just after negotiators’ unsuccessful tries to draw him outdoors the dwelling, the tactical workforce broke into the entrance door and then a bedroom window with assistance from loved ones associates on the home’s structure.
They positioned Kifer in his bedroom with what was described as a tiny sword, roughly 12 inches prolonged.
Officers mentioned Kifer instructed regulation enforcement to shoot him in the course of their tries to carry him exterior.
Loar stated at the time officers made several tries to get him down with “less-lethal” implies like bean bag rounds and stun gun shocks, which he reported had no result.
Kifer ran at a deputy whilst keeping the weapon and was shot.
“He was set on committing suicide by legislation enforcement very last night time and he compelled our hand in which we had to just take motion,” Loar stated in a assertion on Fb Nov. 2, 2019.
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Corey Arwood is a breaking information reporter for TCPalm. Abide by Corey on Twitter @coreyarwood, or attain him by cellphone at 772-978-2246.ccording to re