PALM BAY, Florida – A Palm Bay police officer with the Crime Suppression Unit who responded to an armed robbery in progress shot and wounded a suspect during a confrontation last night.
At 11:04 p.m. on Tuesday, a citizen called to report a suspect wearing a mask entering the Walgreen’s located at 1160 Malabar Road in Palm Bay, Florida. Moments later, multiple 911 calls were received from witnesses reporting a gunman inside the Walgreen’s holding the pharmacist at gunpoint in an apparent robbery.
Palm Bay Patrol officers and CSU officers arrived on scene while the crime was still in progress. As the suspect fled the store and encountered officers, shots were fired and the male gunman was wounded. He was airlifted to the hospital as a trauma alert. His condition is unknown at the time of the latest advisory from the Palm Bay Police Department.
Detectives with the Major Case Unit are investigating the robbery and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement is conducting an investigation into the police shooting – which is protocol. The identity of the wounded suspect is not yet confirmed and the identity of the officer involved in the shooting is also being withheld at this time.
No other injuries were reported and the investigation is ongoing.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Central Florida Crimeline at 1-800-423-TIPS.
Callers can remain anonymous and can be eligible for cash rewards of up to $1,000 in this case. UPDATE: The suspect in a police shooting is identified as 20-year-old Kenneth Kirwan Jr. of West Melbourne, Florida. Kirwan is listed in critical condition at the hospital.
Detectives are continuing the investigation into the armed robbery and felony charges are pending for the suspect.