Titusville Police Chief John Lau addressed the public regarding an officer-involved shooting that occurred Friday, Feb. 7, at approximately 9:15 p.m. The incident involved two police officers and an individual identified as Tri-Marea Charles at a residence located at 490 South Robbins Avenue.

In his statement, Lau acknowledged growing misinformation circulating on social media, which he said has contributed to unnecessary unrest in the community. He provided details about the events leading up to the shooting and the history of police activity at the address.

Ongoing Issues at 490 South Robbins Avenue
According to Lau, the residence has been the subject of numerous calls for service over the past year, including reports of drug sales, fights, stolen vehicles, and shots fired. In the two weeks leading up to the shooting, police responded to approximately 10 to 20 reports of gunfire at the location.

Additionally, neighbors had raised concerns about individuals bringing assault-style rifles in and out of the home.

On Feb. 5, just two days before the shooting, the Titusville Police Department executed a search warrant at the residence after developing probable cause for drugs and firearms.

Officers detained 16 individuals inside the small, 900-square-foot home and seized drugs and one firearm.

Details of the Officer-Involved Shooting
On the night of Feb. 7, officers responded to the residence once again following additional complaints and reports of shots fired.

“As officers were arriving on scene and making their presence known, one of our officers witnessed someone attempting to exit the rear of the residence through a window,” Lau said.

At the same time, Charles appeared at the front door, attempting to jump over others who were exiting. According to Lau, Charles tripped, causing a firearm to fall from his waistband.

An officer at the front door reportedly yelled multiple times, “He has a gun!” before engaging in a struggle with Charles. During the altercation, Charles allegedly picked up the fallen firearm, rearming himself. At that point, officers fired their weapons.

Investigation Underway
Per protocol, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) has taken over the criminal investigation into the officer-involved shooting to ensure an independent review.

FDLE’s findings will be submitted to the State Attorney’s Office, which will determine whether any criminal charges are warranted.

Additionally, the Titusville Police Department’s Professional Standards Division will conduct an internal affairs investigation to evaluate whether any policies or procedures were violated.

“Our two officers are currently on administrative leave pending the results of both investigations,” Lau said.

Community Impact
Lau emphasized that the department recognizes the tragedy of the situation and has been in direct contact with Charles’s family, including his mother.

He stated that once the investigation is complete, the department will share the results with the family before making them public.

“This incident is truly a tragedy. Anytime we deal with the loss of life, it is tragic for the family, our community, and our law enforcement officers,” Lau said.

The police department does not anticipate releasing additional details until FDLE concludes its investigation, which is expected to take approximately four to six weeks.