GAINESVILLE - An Alachua County sheriff's deputy who shot a mentally ill man to death last year fatally shot another mentally ill man, this time a family friend, on Tuesday, officials said.
Sgt. Pete Briggette fired the shots that killed 58-year-old John Michael Holman. Holman called authorities late Tuesday, falsely reported that he shot his former wife, then refused to put down a gun when deputies arrived at his Fairbanks home.
"He was walking toward the officers," said Lt. Jim Troiano. "We were making numerous commands to him: "Drop the weapon. Drop the weapon.' But he continued to walk to them."
Troiano would not say how many shots were fired or where the bullets struck Holman, who died Wednesday at Shands Hospital at the University of Florida.
Troiano said it appeared Holman intended to be killed. He said an "apology note" was found telling law enforcement officers he was sorry for his actions.
Briggette was a friend of the son of Holman's former wife. The deputy served in the military with the son and was the best man at his wedding.
In July 2003, Briggette and another officer fatally shot a mentally ill man who was threatening deputies with knives outside the sheriff's headquarters. Robert Michael "Bob" Duke, 45, died after being shot three times.
Train kills 13-year-old boy playing on tracks
JENSEN BEACH - A train struck a 13-year-old boy playing on railroad tracks near his house, killing him instantly, officials said.
Michael David Stone, an eighth-grader at Stuart Middle School, was killed Wednesday by a Florida East Coast Railway train going about 45 mph.
Michael was playing with two other boys on a stopped train car when they tried to jump across a second set of tracks that carried the approaching southbound train.
Michael was struck by the engine. The other boys - Michael's 15-year-old brother and a friend - made it safely across the tracks and ran for help.
"There is no indication that they were playing chicken or one pushed the other," said Jenell Atlas, spokeswoman for the Martin County Sheriff's Office.
Officials from Florida East Coast Railway Co. were at the scene investigating, but declined to comment.
Jensen Beach is 39 miles north of West Palm Beach.
