Orlando, FL — June 7, 2025
An Orange County Sheriff’s deputy shot and wounded a man Saturday evening following a violent altercation behind a northwest Orlando discount store, officials said. The confrontation, which unfolded in just over a minute, left both the suspect and the deputy hospitalized.
According to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, the incident began when a deputy on patrol initiated a check on a suspicious person behind the Save Discount Store located at 2793 North Hiawassee Road. The man was later identified as 24-year-old Charles St. Fleur.
The deputy approached St. Fleur to ask why he was in a fenced-off area behind the store. Instead of answering questions, St. Fleur reportedly jumped the fence toward the deputy, grabbed a bag from the ground, and attempted to flee. When the deputy intervened to detain him, a violent struggle broke out.
Authorities said St. Fleur punched the deputy repeatedly and forced him to the ground. While on top of the deputy, St. Fleur struck him in the head at least ten more times. Investigators later determined that during the fight, two objects—later identified as firearms—were flung from the area and ended up near where the men were struggling.
The physical confrontation lasted approximately one minute and sixteen seconds. As St. Fleur eventually got off the deputy, he ran toward the firearms. At that moment, the deputy managed to get back to his feet and drew his service weapon. Fearing that St. Fleur was attempting to retrieve a gun, the deputy fired, striking him.
Other deputies responded quickly, and officers rendered first aid until paramedics arrived on the scene. St. Fleur was transported to a local hospital, where he was last reported to be in stable condition. The deputy was also hospitalized with head injuries and is recovering.
Authorities emphasized that the situation escalated rapidly and that the deputy’s use of force came after an extended assault and the presence of firearms near the struggle. “This was an incredibly dangerous situation,” one sheriff’s spokesperson said. “Our deputy was overpowered and struck numerous times, but acted to protect his life when the suspect moved toward weapons.”
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) is expected to review the shooting, as is standard protocol for officer-involved shootings in the state. Meanwhile, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office has not confirmed whether St. Fleur will face criminal charges once he is released from the hospital.
Community members expressed concern after reports of gunfire but were reassured that no bystanders were harmed. The sheriff’s office reiterated that deputies are trained to use deadly force only when there is an imminent threat to their lives or the lives of others.
The investigation remains ongoing.
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