KISSIMMEE, Fla. – Following a deadly shooting in April 2022, two Osceola County Sheriff’s Office deputies will not face charges for their involvement, as announced by State Attorney Andrew Bain in a press conference on Tuesday.
The shooting occurred in the parking lot of a Kissimmee Target, where Jayden Baez was fatally shot, and two others were injured after deputies fired at them through the car’s windshield. The incident was prompted by a report of shoplifting, which led the deputies to open fire on the suspects.
Although a grand jury reviewed the evidence and witness testimony and found no grounds for charges against the deputies, Baez’s family has since filed a lawsuit against the sheriff’s office and the deputies. The lawsuit alleges excessive force by the deputies and accuses the sheriff’s office of falsifying reports about the incident.
Attorney Mark NeJame, representing the Baez family, expressed disappointment in the grand jury’s decision, stating that it is historically challenging to indict law enforcement officers. However, he believes that a statement from the grand jury could support their civil lawsuit.
Meanwhile, Osceola County Sheriff Marcos Lopez plans to address the issue in a press conference on Wednesday morning, offering his perspective on the outcome. Bain mentioned that the grand jury might release a statement evaluating the sheriff’s office’s use of force policies in connection with the incident.
The tragic shooting has impacted many families and individuals, and the community continues to grieve and seek answers. The lawsuit and the grand jury’s decision are likely to play a significant role in shaping the aftermath of this devastating event.