The Eighteenth Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office has ruled that the use of deadly force by two Titusville police officers in the fatal shooting of a man in February was justified.

The decision, detailed in a letter dated June 10, 2025, from State Attorney William Scheiner to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), concludes a thorough investigation into the death of the man identified in the report as Mr. Charles.

Titusville Police Involved in Fatal Shooting, FDLE Investigating

The incident occurred on the evening of February 7, 2025, at a residence located at 490 South Robbins Avenue, a location known to law enforcement for a recent history of disturbances, including fights, drug activity, and reports of shots fired.

According to the investigation, which included a review of body camera footage, in-car cameras, and witness statements, officers were at the residence to enforce a blanket trespass that had been authorized by the property owner. The situation escalated when Mr. Charles, who was present at the location, became involved in a physical altercation with Officer Xzeviex Baez.

The official report states that during the scuffle, a Glock 21 .45 caliber pistol with an extended magazine and a “Glock switch” that converted it to a fully automatic weapon fell from Mr. Charles’ possession. After a brief chase, Mr. Charles picked up the firearm and ran from the officers. The report details that Mr. Charles then re-armed himself and turned towards an officer with the weapon in his hand.

In response to the perceived threat, Officer Baez and Corporal Zachary Blougouras discharged their firearms. The investigation determined that Officer Baez fired his 9mm pistol 16 times, while Corporal Blougouras fired his weapon three times. Mr. Charles sustained ten gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene.

State Attorney William Scheiner’s letter states, “A person is justified in using or threatening to use deadly force if he or she reasonably believes that using or threatening to use such force is necessary to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm to himself or herself or another.” He further cited the “totality of the circumstances” standard from the Supreme Court case Barnes v. Felix, concluding that the officers’ actions were reasonable given the threat presented.

The investigation also noted that law enforcement had prior intelligence that firearms were present at the residence. A search warrant had been authorized for the property just two days prior to the shooting.

The State Attorney’s review concluded that there was no violation of the law by the officers and that their use of force was lawful and justified to protect themselves and others from what they reasonably perceived as an imminent threat.