Authorities on Thursday named a man they say was slain in last week’s police shooting in Hollywood, which also wounded a responding officer. The authorities recognized the individual as Juan Wu, 48.
On October 10, at around 9:30 a.m., Hollywood police were called to a residence close to North 66th Terrace and Eaton Street about a “neighbor dispute” involving what seemed to be vandalism. Wu’s neighbor reported that he had broken a communal fence by calling 911.
In the 911 tape that News was able to get, the caller stated, “I’m calling because of a situation with a neighbor here.” We have a shared fence, and Wu decided to ruin it. He began yelling and swearing at my spouse when he tried to speak with him. To defuse the situation, the woman requested for assistance.
Wu allegedly struck a cop-out of the blue, starting a fistfight while the officers were looking into the matter. According to the police, the officer tried to deploy a Taser, but it didn’t work.
Police Statement:
Authorities claim that Wu was shot by police officers out of concern for their own safety. He was taken to a neighboring hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
The Hollywood Police spokesperson, Deanna Bettineschi, said in a news statement on Thursday that the engaged officer was hurt during the confrontation and was treated before being discharged from the hospital. The officer’s identity is still unknown.
According to a neighbor who watched the event, Wu was face down on the ground while the officer—who appeared flustered—attempted CPR, according to News. The neighbor also cited Wu’s reputation for struggling with mental health issues in the neighborhood.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is looking at the incident involving an officer.
“Our investigation is limited to the officer-involved shooting,” the FDLE stated in a statement that Local 10 News was able to get last Thursday. Since the inquiry is still ongoing, no further details will be given.
