Knife attack was in progress as deputies peeked in home, Florida cops say. Man killed

A life-and-death struggle between two men was in progress when deputies responded to a home burglary call, according to investigators in Florida.

It happened around 11:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8, at a single-family home in Pine Castle, resulting in deputies killing one of the men who was armed with a knife, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.

What’s not yet clear is whether that man was the homeowner or a suspected burglar.

“When they arrived at the home, deputies were in the backyard when they saw two men inside the home who were in a physical altercation, one of whom had a knife,” the sheriff’s office said.

“Deputies gave several commands for the man to drop the knife, but he did not comply, and two deputies discharged their service weapons, striking the man with the knife.”

Deputies rushed to provide first aid, but the man died later after being taken to a hospital, officials said.

Identities of the two men have not been released.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating the shooting, officials said.

Pine Castle is about a 5-mile drive south from Orlando.

This story was originally published February 10, 2025 at 4:48 AM with the headline "Knife attack was in progress as deputies peeked in home, Florida cops say. Man killed."