Watch CBS News

Night Watchman Recovering After Lauderhill Police Shot Him

LAUDERHILL (CBSMiami) – A night watchman is recovering in the hospital after being shot by Lauderhill Police.

It happened around 2 a.m. Thursday when officers were sent to International Global Metals recycling center on 31st Avenue at NW 17th Street to check out reports of an intruder.

Police have not said what led to the shooting. The injured man, identified by police as Earl D. Brown, was taken to Broward Health Medical Center where he underwent surgery. Brown, who is in his 70's, is expected to recover.

"He's an excellent guy," said Lou Manyou, "Very caring, a very caring guy. He's known through the whole community."

Co-workers said Brown has been the overnight security guard at the recycling center for more than 25 years and was on routine patrol when the shooting happened.

Police said Brown was armed but was not wearing any type of clothing that identified him as a security guard.

"My understanding is that there were no markings on his person that indicated, that in fact, he is employed as a security guard," said Lauderhill police spokesman Captain Rick Rocco.

Police said because Brown had a firearm, the officers perceived him as a threat.

"You can place a weapon in their hands," said Rocco, "That creates a great danger to the officers in any situation."

A man who lives nearby but did not want to be identified said he saw a suspicious vehicle pull into the back of the recycling center and called Earl Brown. The man said Brown walked down a dark, gravel-filled alleyway to check on the situation. Seconds later, the man said, Lauderhill police officers arrived with guns drawn.

"(Brown) was yelling, 'I'm a security guard' and as he was throwing his hands up he was yelling, 'I'm a security guard,'" the man told CBS 4's Carey Codd. "But by the time he put his hands up they started shooting."

Police said they recovered a loaded .44 caliber revolver on the scene that they believe belongs to Brown. Police said Brown did not fire his weapon during the incident.

Investigators say they are working to determine if Brown has a license to carry a firearm and why he was off the Metals Recycling property when the shooting occurred.

The shooting has put people who live around the recycling center on edge.

"I heard the shots fired, first like 'boom, boom' then I heard 'boom, boom, boom, boom, boom' and I'm like 'Get off the bed, get on the ground and stay down' because there were kids in the house," said Ike Francis.

The three officers who fired their weapons are on administrative leave. That is standard procedure in these types of situations.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.