Port Orange police lobby shooting leaves woman hospitalized
Port Orange police lobby shooting leaves woman hospitalized
Anonymous
Key Points
1
Police Chief Manuel Marino said officers shot Croteau in the department parking lot around 8:30 a.m., after she left the lobby and was confronted outside.
2
Several witnesses described what they saw during the confrontation outside the lobby: Demetrius Pinkins said that once he saw officers with guns drawn, he thought someone was trying to get into the station, and he shared video showing officers running toward the armed woman.
3
Witness Caleb Lemons said he saw Croteau “drop the gun,” then walk to the curb, sit down, and put her hands on her head before gunfire followed her way.
4
Authorities said the lobby would remain closed until Tuesday, Sept. 8, while the investigation continued, and the parking lot was blocked off on Thursday.
5
In a Channel 9 account, Chief Marino confirmed Croteau had not dropped the firearm when officers confronted her, stating: “At this point, no. She was still holding the firearm when she was confronted by the officers.”
A woman in her 70s opened fire inside the Port Orange Police Department lobby in Florida on Thursday morning, forcing officers to confront her outside the building. Police Chief Manuel Marino said Linda Jean Croteau entered the main lobby with a handgun, brandished the weapon in the records area, and fired at least one round before leaving. Three officers shot her in the parking lot around 8:30 a.m.; she was hospitalized and later described as stable. No officers or civilian staff were injured, and authorities said there is no ongoing threat.
Woman Fires Shot, Then Confronted Outside
Croteau walked into the lobby and confronted civilian employees in the records section, then pulled the handgun and fired. After leaving the building, she was met by three Port Orange officers in the parking lot. Chief Marino confirmed she was still holding the firearm when officers confronted her, leaving no opportunity for her to drop the weapon first.
Witness Caleb Lemons said he saw Croteau drop the gun and walk to the curb, sit down, and place her hands on her head before gunfire erupted. Witness Demetrius Pinkins shared video showing officers running toward the armed woman with guns drawn, thinking someone was trying to break into the station.
Investigation Continues, Motive Unknown
Police have not released a motive for the shooting and said it is too early to determine whether Croteau had previous contact with the department. The lobby will remain closed until Tuesday, September 8, while investigators gather evidence and interview witnesses. The parking lot was blocked off Thursday as police worked the scene.
The lack of disclosed motive leaves questions unanswered for the community. Authorities have emphasized that no civilians or officers were hurt and that there is no ongoing threat, but the investigation's early stage means public details remain limited.
How the Incident Unfolded Inside and Out
Croteau entered the station with a loaded handgun and moved through the lobby without triggering an immediate response. She confronted staff in the records area, where she brandished the weapon and fired one round. The sequence—initial contact, weapon display, gunfire, then exit—meant civilian employees were present during the early minutes before officers could intervene.
Once outside, the situation escalated rapidly. Officers confronted an armed suspect who had just fired inside a public building. The quick decision to use force reflected the narrow window for de-escalation once a weapon has been fired and the suspect remains armed during a direct police encounter.
Sentiment
Mostly NegativeNEGATIVENEUTRALPOSITIVE
Publishers
12
Articles
18
Reach
30
Topics
A
AnonymousAuthor
