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Veteran Florida Deputy with 25 Years' Service Killed While Serving Eviction; Suspect, Locksmith Also Injured

Deputy Terri Sweeting-Mashkow, 47, was killed on Nov. 21, 2025 while serving an eviction in Vero Beach, Florida. A locksmith and another deputy were wounded; the alleged shooter, Michael Halberstam, was critically injured after deputies returned fire. The eviction followed several recent calls to the residence and was described by officials as a routine civil-service response. Sweeting-Mashkow had 25 years of service; the sheriff noted this is the department's second line-of-duty death in 100 years.

09:29 AM, 11/22/2025Security
Veteran Florida Deputy with 25 Years' Service Killed While Serving Eviction; Suspect, Locksmith Also Injured

Deputy Terri Sweeting-Mashkow, 47, a 25-year veteran of the Indian River County Sheriff's Office, was shot and killed on the morning of November 21, 2025 while serving an eviction at a residence in Bermuda Club, a gated community in Vero Beach, Florida.

Sheriff Eric Flowers said Sweeting-Mashkow and other deputies arrived at the home along with a locksmith to carry out the civil process. Once they were in the entryway, the suspect, identified as Michael Halberstam, allegedly produced a firearm and began firing indiscriminately at officers on the scene.

Sweeting-Mashkow was killed in the exchange. Another deputy was struck in the shoulder and is recovering, and the locksmith was critically wounded and underwent surgery. The suspect was also critically injured after deputies returned fire.

Flowers described Sweeting-Mashkow as a dedicated public servant who began her career as a dispatcher 25 years ago, spent roughly 20 years on patrol and was reassigned to the legal process civil unit in 2023. He said this is only the second line-of-duty death in the sheriff's office during its 100-year history.

According to authorities, the eviction followed several recent calls to the residence—mostly from the suspect's mother—raising concerns that prompted her to begin eviction proceedings. Flowers emphasized the eviction was a standard civil-service call and that the suspect had not been flagged as an ongoing threat to deputies.

"What an awful day. Six days before Thanksgiving," Flowers said, paying tribute to Sweeting-Mashkow's 25 years of service and sacrifice.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said his office was monitoring the situation. The sheriff's office said the investigation remains active and that additional details will be released as they become available.

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Veteran Florida Deputy with 25 Years' Service Killed While Serving Eviction; Suspect, Locksmith Also Injured - CRBC News