Published on: December 12, 2025, 10:13 AM.
Updated on: December 12, 2025, 10:32 AM.
- Casino robbery suspect pursued by aviation unit in Margate neighborhood
- Gunfire breaks out following police encounter; deputy injured but protected by vest
- Investigations underway into the deputy-involved shooting
A man who snatched money from a patron at the Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood Casino in Margate, Florida, on Thursday morning was later involved in a shootout with law enforcement, as reported by the Broward Sheriff’s Office (BSO).
According to the BSO, a deputy sustained a chest injury during the shootout, but his bulletproof vest saved him from serious harm. The suspect’s condition remains unreported.
Pursued by Helicopter
Following the nonviolent casino heist, Seminole Police sought the assistance of the BSO to track down the suspect. The Burglary Apprehension Team (BAT) utilized their Aviation Unit to monitor the movements of a male in his 20s, as detailed by CBS News Miami.
The chase transitioned from the jurisdiction of the BSO’s North Lauderdale District into a Margate residential area.
When deputies located the suspect in what appeared to be a suburban driveway, chaos ensued.
Post-incident footage shows a tactical SUV alongside a law enforcement vehicle crashed into a bullet-ridden black car on the driveway.
“I glanced through the back door, and there were police, a vehicle, a door ajar, someone standing there, and suddenly we heard gunfire,” local resident Cavine Dickson recounted to the news outlet. “Initially, I thought it was a firecracker, but then I realized it was gunfire due to the immense police presence.”
“I looked outside, and the next thing I noticed was several cars. Suddenly, someone emerged from a vehicle, and then gunshots erupted,” she added. “It was reminiscent of fireworks – pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop.”
Who Fired the First Shot?
BSO’s Public Information Officer, Miranda Grossman, stated that it remains unclear who initiated the gunfire.
“An interaction occurred between deputies and at some point during that engagement, a deputy-involved shooting took place with the suspect,” she explained. “This incident serves as a stark reminder of the daily dangers our deputies confront.”
Both the deputy and the suspect were transported to Broward Health North in Pompano Beach, with no further details on their health conditions made available by the BSO. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is conducting an investigation into the event, and a separate review will be carried out by the BSO Internal Affairs Unit.