In October, deputies from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office responded to an emergency call from a 19-year-old woman, identified as Vanessa Eugene, who reported being assaulted and strangled inside her apartment in Orlando, Florida. The call indicated an urgent and potentially life-threatening situation.
When deputies arrived at the residence, repeated attempts to make contact were unsuccessful. Concerned for the caller’s safety, officers forced entry into the apartment. While clearing the residence, deputies reported hearing a woman screaming for help, leading them to believe someone was in immediate danger.
Officers focused their attention on a locked closet, believing a suspect and victim might be inside. As deputies prepared to force the door open, Vanessa Eugene emerged. During the confrontation, officers discharged their weapons. Eugene was taken to a hospital, where she later died.
Investigators found no other individuals inside the apartment. Authorities later stated that Eugene may have been experiencing a severe psychological crisis at the time of the incident. The case was reviewed under standard protocol for officer-involved shootings.
