Machete-wielding man shot and killed by deputy

The scene was tense last night when Debra Johnson reported to Historic City News that a 32-year-old Palm Coast man, armed with an 18″ machete, was shot and killed by a Flagler County deputy sheriff; after a Taser shot failed to stay his advance against another officer.

At about 4:25 p.m. yesterday, Sheriff’s deputies Joseph Dailey and Brandon Fiveash were responding to a domestic violence call at the residence located at 61 Brownstone Lane where Troy Gordon, his grandmother, and another woman live.

Gordon reportedly became violent towards his family earlier in the day. Family members told law enforcement officers at the scene that Gordon had remarked that “this is the end” for him. They reported that Gordon recently became “paranoid” and may have been using synthetic marijuana.

According to the incident report, Gordon was believed to suffer from a mental disorder and officers were prepared to assess his condition in the event he needed to be detained and evaluated under the Baker Act.

When deputies arrived, they found Gordon; armed with a machete and carrying a Bible under his arm. As Gordon approached Deputy Fiveash in a threatening manner, Fiveash ordered him to stop. When Gordon did not, Fiveash deployed his taser; however, that failed to stop the assailant’s advance.

Deputy Dailey was forced to shoot Gordon; who was fatally wounded. Both deputies were transported to Florida Hospital Flagler for treatment of minor injuries sustained during the incident.

Fiveash has been with the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office since 2005 and is a member of the agency’s Special Weapons and Tactics team. Dailey has been with the agency since 2007 and is a K-9 handler.

Both deputies have been placed on administrative leave; in accordance with agency policy. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is being brought in to investigate the shooting incident.