UPDATE: DEPUTY SHOT, KILLED IN “TARGETED” ATTACK.
UPDATE 8:41 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025: PBSO just issued this statement: “The investigation into this shooting/homicide is currently active and ongoing. It appears that our off-duty deputy, Basil Powell, was targeted/ambushed while returning home. As he exited his vehicle, he was immediately fired upon. This incident is not related to his role as a Corrections Deputy.
Deputy Sheriff Basil Powell was assigned to the West Corrections Center, having been hired in October 2021.
PBSO once again stands together, honoring our deputy’s memory and supporting his family, friends, and colleagues through this time of immense sorrow.
Members of the public with any information regarding this incident are strongly encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-458-TIPS.”
UPDATE: 10:46 p.m. — The Deputy has died. PBSO issued this statement: “The victim, an off-duty PBSO Corrections Deputy, was pronounced dead shortly after arrival at St. Mary’s Hospital. Further investigation determined that this incident was targeted. The deputy, aged 39, had been with the agency for three years. A ceremonial escort will take place this evening from St. Mary’s Hospital to the Medical Examiner’s Office.”
UPDATE at 8:47 p.m. — PBSO just issued a statement confirming that deputies were dispatched to reports of gunfire in the 1400 block of NW Avenue D in Belle Glade. “Upon arrival they found an adult male suffering from gunshot wounds. He was immediately transported to a local hospital for medical treatment.” The official statement does not yet confirm that the victim is a deputy, but multiple sources tell BocaNewsNow.com that it is.
UPDATE at 8:33 p.m. — TraumaHawk just landed at St. Mary’s Medical Center. The Deputy is said to be in extremely critical condition. St. Mary’s is a highly regarded trauma center.
BY: ANDREW COLTON | Editor and Publisher | PALM BEACH COUNTY, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) (Copyright © 2025 MetroDesk Media, LLC) — A Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office Deputy was shot shortly after 7:30 p.m. in the Glades. Sources familiar with the unfolding incident say that the deputy was shot twice in the chest. He is being flown to Saint Mary’s Medical Center by Trauma Hawk.
The identity of the deputy has not been released, but sources say it is a corrections deputy. It’s unclear if he was on or off duty at the time of the shooting. It’s unclear what led to the shooting, or if anyone is in custody.
It’s been less than three months since three PBSO Deputies were killed in a traffic incident on Southern Boulevard near Lion Country Safari. That’s where a woman identified as an off-duty nurse apparently lost control of her vehicle and slammed into three motorcycle deputies in the median. Charges are pending. That driver has not yet been identified.
This is a developing story. Check BocaNewsNow.com for updates.
