Ocala police release body cam footage from Sunday afternoon's officer-involved shooting
Ocala Police Department officials held a late morning press conference Monday at the department to talk about Sunday's officer-involved shooting. Officials said the man, who faces charges related to the incident, remains hospitalized.
Here's what we know:
Who attended the press conference? Mayor Ben Marciano, OPD Deputy Chief Lou Biondi and Maj. Steve Cuppy.
What information was released? The deputy chief said the mother of the man who was shot took her son to The Vines for a mental health evaluation on Sunday at 12:20 p.m. The man didn't want to go the facility, so he left. The man's mother called the police department for help and gave a dispatcher a description of her son. Officers found the man in the 5500 block of Southwest 27th Avenue and tried talking to him. Biondi said the man was holding a knife in one hand and long-range pepper spray in the other. While talking to the man, he said he wanted to end his life.
Did officials expand on their comments? Yes. A video of the officers interacting with the man was shown. One officer was overheard telling the man, "Put the knife down, buddy." An officer was heard saying the man had the knife by his throat. The deputy chief said an officer tased the man. When that didn't work, the man was hit with what's described as a 40 mm round that's designed for pain compliance. The round does not enter the body, but leaves a bruise, officials said. The round struck the man in the upper right thigh. Apparently unfazed by the taser and the round, the man sprayed contents from the pepper spray can and charged at an officer when he was shot. The deputy chief said officers performed life-saving measures on the man and called for medical assistance. Biondi said they were told that the man was acting erratically the night before and had suicidal thoughts.
Who's investigating the shooting? As is typical in officer-involved shootings, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) is investigating the case. Biondi said the officers responding to the incident followed protocol and their training. He called the incident a worst-case scenario.
Where is the man now, and what is his condition? Biondi said the man is at a local hospital and is recovering. He has had several surgeries.
Is the man facing any charges? Yes. Two counts of aggravated battery of a law enforcement officer and one count of aggravated assault of a law enforcement officer.
Has the man's name been released? No. However, based on the charges announced by authorities, it matches the name of David R. Laperriere, 23, of Dunnellon. Records show Laperriere has no bond.
Are the names of the officers being released? No. The officer who shot Laperriere is on paid administrative leave and is being represented by local defense lawyer Jimmie Sparrow. The attorney told the Star-Banner on Sunday that the officer is doing as good as can be expected under the circumstances. He said his client has not yet been interviewed by FDLE. Biondi said the other officers at the location were treated for pepper spray.
Does Laperriere have an arrest record? Yes. In 2019, he was taken into custody by Dunnellon Police Department officers for burglary of an unoccupied dwelling. Records show prosecutors dropped the case because the victim declined to move forward with the case.
Contact Austin L. Miller at [email protected]
This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Ocala Police Department show video from officer-involved shooting
