Additional Coverage:
- Florida deputy with 25 years on force killed serving eviction notice; suspect, locksmith also shot: sheriff (foxnews.com)
Indian River County Deputy Killed While Serving Eviction Notice
Vero Beach, FL – A somber cloud hangs over Indian River County as officials announce the tragic death of Deputy Terri Sweeting-Mashkow, who was killed in the line of duty Friday morning while serving an eviction notice.
The Indian River County Sheriff’s Office shared the devastating news on social media Friday afternoon, stating, “It is with profound sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Deputy Terri Sweeting-Mashkow, who was killed in the line of duty on November 21st, 2025 while faithfully serving our community. Her loss is felt deeply by every member of our agency, as well as by the community she served with pride.”
Deputy Sweeting-Mashkow, 47, was a dedicated member of the sheriff’s department for 25 years and 16 days, as confirmed by Sheriff Eric Flowers during a news conference.
The incident unfolded at a home within Bermuda Club, a gated community in Vero Beach, where Deputy Sweeting-Mashkow, accompanied by other deputies and a locksmith, was assisting with the eviction of Michael Halberstam by his mother.
“What an awful day. Six days before Thanksgiving,” Sheriff Flowers lamented to reporters.
Upon their arrival at the entryway of the residence, Halberstam allegedly opened fire indiscriminately, striking Deputy Sweeting-Mashkow. Another deputy sustained a shoulder injury and is currently recovering, while the locksmith is in critical condition undergoing surgery. Halberstam himself is also in critical condition after deputies returned fire.
Sheriff Flowers highlighted the rarity of such a tragedy for the department, noting that Deputy Sweeting-Mashkow’s death marks only the second line-of-duty fatality for the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office in its 100-year history.
Deputy Sweeting-Mashkow began her career as a dispatcher 25 years ago, served 20 years on patrol, and transitioned to the legal process civil unit in 2023.
Authorities revealed that Halberstam has a past record, including a 2006 narcotics charge and a 2015 misdemeanor assault charge from Virginia. Sheriff Flowers stated that the department had received seven calls this month regarding Halberstam at the residence, primarily from his mother, which ultimately led to the eviction.
Despite the previous calls, Halberstam was not considered to be on the department’s radar, and the eviction duty was viewed as a “standard call to service.”
“The regular duties that our deputies bravely do every day in and out, and today Deputy Terri Sweeting-Mashkow, 25 years of service, 47 years old, gave her life for this community,” Sheriff Flowers concluded at the news conference.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis had earlier stated that his office was monitoring the situation following reports of the deputies being shot.