Deputies responded to a burglary call, and two deputies spotted a car leaving the area and pursued it. The driver, Yemerson Melendez, crashed the vehicle and then sped away, reportedly running over over a deputy's foot. The vehicle crashed again, and the driver and passenger attempted to flee. Melendez reportedly failed to comply with a deputy's orders and pulled a firearm. A deputy shot and killed him.
Victim's Name: Yemerson Melendez
Agency Responsible: St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office
Gender: Male
Age: 16
Race: Hispanic
Date of Death: December 1, 2019
County: St. Lucie
Cause of Death: Gunshot
Official Disposition: Pending investigation/No Known Charges
Criminal Charges: No known charges
Mental Illness: No
Armed: Allegedly Armed
Weapon: gun and vehicle
Threat Level: attack
Fleeing: Other
Body Camera: No
Washington Post Database ID: 5233
Geography: Suburban