What began as joy at a wedding celebration in Orlando, Florida, culminated in tragedy when a police officer fatally shot the bride’s uncle, after allegedly assaulting several of the guests and attacking two officers, who responded to the incident
The events occurred at the new Winter Park Library and Events Center in Orlando, leaving a deceased who was identified as Daniel Patrick Knight, of 39 years. Relatives confirmed that he was the bride’s uncle.
“He was a kind and gentle soul, and his only crime committed that night was drinking and having a good time with his family,” the family said in a statement sent to Fox 35 Orlando. “He didn’t drink and worked 16 hour shifts almost every day to support his family. Her niece’s wedding was the first day she was able to go out and celebrate in a long time.”
In their statement, they assured that Knight was not attacking the guests, and stressed that he was not armed, calling the shooting as “unjustified”.
“We are working with a lawyer and the FDLA to get the whole truth out,” the family said in the statement.
The agents responded to a call for alleged disturbances around 9: 40 pm Saturday, the Winter Park Police Department said. The person reported that Knight was assaulting guests at the reception, Fox News reported.
“Upon arrival, one of the officers began talking to the subject when the officer was physically attacked by the subject , leaving the officer unconscious on the ground,” the department said.
Knight subsequently attacked physically to a second agent when the chaos had already taken over the party. In the middle of the altercation, a second officer shot the girlfriend’s uncle, causing him to be taken to a hospital and later pronounced dead, according to the report.
Furthermore, the agents involved were taken to a medical facility to be treated for injuries, but were briefly released.
The officer who shot Knight, whose identity has not been released at this time, was transferred to administrative duties while the Department Florida Law Enforcement (FDLE) is still investigating what happened.