Eric Escoba Obituary, Death: Clermont man fatally shot by deputies overnight, authorities report.

Eric Escoba Obituary, Death – A fatal officer-involved shooting in Clermont is under investigation after deputies responded to reports of a suspicious person early Saturday morning. The Lake County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that the man, later identified as 39-year-old Eric Escoba, was shot and killed after allegedly refusing to comply with commands and drawing a handgun.

The incident occurred around 12:16 a.m. in the area of Via Roma Circle, where deputies were dispatched following multiple calls from residents concerned about a man behaving erratically in the neighborhood. According to authorities, Escoba was reportedly standing in the middle of the road yelling at passing vehicles. He then approached a nearby home and began forcefully pounding on the door, alarming the occupants and prompting them to call law enforcement.

When deputies arrived on the scene, they encountered Escoba near the residence. Officials stated that deputies instructed him several times to show his hands, but he failed to comply. As they attempted to communicate with him further, Escoba allegedly pulled out a handgun. In response, one of the deputies fired at Escoba, fatally striking him.

Authorities confirmed that Escoba died at the scene. No deputies or nearby residents were harmed during the confrontation. The Sheriff’s Office stated that the deputy who fired the shot has been placed on administrative leave, a standard practice following any officer-involved shooting, pending the outcome of a formal investigation. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) will lead the review to determine whether the use of force was justified.

As of now, the identity of the deputy involved has not been made public. FOX 35 Orlando reported reaching out to officials for additional information, but no further details have been released at this time. The Sheriff’s Office has not commented on whether Escoba had a history of mental health issues or if there were any previous interactions with law enforcement.

The area where the incident took place is a residential neighborhood, and local residents have expressed concern and shock over the shooting. One neighbor, who asked to remain anonymous, said they were awakened by the sound of sirens and flashing lights. “It was scary,” the resident said. “I didn’t know what was going on until I saw the news this morning.”

The Sheriff’s Office has not disclosed how many deputies were on the scene at the time or how many times Escoba was shot. They also haven’t confirmed whether Escoba fired his weapon or simply brandished it. These details will likely emerge as the FDLE investigation progresses.

Community reactions have so far been mixed. While some support the deputies’ actions and cite the potential threat posed by an armed individual, others are calling for a thorough and transparent investigation to ensure that proper protocols were followed. Civil rights advocates and local community leaders have expressed concern about the use of deadly force and are urging authorities to release body camera footage, if available.

This incident is part of a broader pattern of officer-involved shootings that have occurred across Florida in recent years. As such, the outcome of this investigation may be closely watched by the public and advocacy groups alike.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement has not provided a timeline for when the investigation might conclude, but officials said updates will be released as more facts become available. In the meantime, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office is cooperating fully with the FDLE and has promised transparency throughout the process.

Residents with additional information or who may have witnessed any part of the incident are encouraged to contact local authorities. The Sheriff’s Office has also said they will release further details as they are confirmed, including the name of the deputy involved and any findings from the investigation.

For now, the neighborhood remains quiet, but the tragic incident has left an impact on those who live nearby. As the investigation continues, the community is left grappling with questions about safety, mental health, and law enforcement’s response to potentially volatile situations.