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The man shot and killed by deputies at a Viera courthouse on Friday was wielding a replica gun, according to Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey.
Brevard Sheriff: Courthouse gunman killed by deputies had replica gun
The replica gun was discovered to be an airsoft pistol that fires 6mm plastic pellets.
Robert Striffler was killed by deputies after a 3-hour standoff in the parking lot of the Viera courthouse.
“The pistol is actually designed to resemble a firearm,” Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey said in a video press release.
He said Striffler’s Crosman Stinger P311 had been modified; the orange tip that would identify a toy had been removed.
The manufacturer’s website said the $15.99 gun resembles popular US military pistols of the past.
“I think it’s important to keep in mind that our deputies are trained to respond to life and death situations and are forced to make split-second decisions with the best information they have available,” Ivey said. “The deputies that responded Friday encountered a deadly threat, and responded to that threat appropriately. Replica guns are extremely realistic, and difficult to distinguish from an actual functioning firearm.”
Ivey identified the agents who fired as Chris Neel and Juan Vargas. Neel is a nine-year veteran, Vargas has served 8 years.
Both have been placed on administrative leave while the incident is investigated.
Agency Spokeswoman Deputy Maria Fernez said the agents are part of the SWAT team that responded to the scene on Friday.
Contact Ford at aford@floridatoday.com, 321-242-3601 or follow @andrewfordnews
https://www.floridatoday.com/article/20140304/NEWS01/140304022/Brevard-Sheriff-Courthouse-gunman-killed-by-deputies-had-replica-gun
