The family of a man shot and killed by a Winter Park police officer Saturday night is calling his death an unjustified shooting.Daniel Patrick Knight, 39, was celebrating his niece’s wedding when police say he started trying to fight other guests. Police said he knocked out a police officer and they shot him.Now his family says they are working to “get the entire truth out” about what happened to him.Knight’s family said they have retained a lawyer, and they are awaiting the conclusion of an investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement into the shooting. In a statement, the family added this about Knight: “He was a kind gentle soul, and his only crime committed that night was drinking and having a good time with his family. He is not a drinker and works 16 hour shifts nearly everyday to support his family. His niece’s wedding was the first day he was able to come out and celebrate in a long time. This shooting was unjustified and we are working with a lawyer and the FDLE to get the entire truth out.”The incident started around 10 p.m. at the Winter Park Event Center on Morse Boulevard.Officials say there was a large wedding underway with about 200 guests.Police say Knight was attacking other guests and the police were called.”This particular suspect was in a physical altercation. It appeared that he was going up to several people inside the party where he was battering people. It started inside the event center and ended up outside,” police said.When officers arrived, Knight knocked one officer unconscious.During the fight outside, an officer discharged his weapon, according to a release.Knight was taken to the hospital where he died.Both officers were treated for non-life-threatening injuries. They’ve been released from the hospital.The Florida Department of Law Enforcement continues to investigate the officer-involved shooting.Officials say the officer involved in the shooting has been placed on administrative duty as standard procedure.
The family of a man shot and killed by a Winter Park police officer Saturday night are calling his death an unjustified shooting.
Daniel Patrick Knight, 39, was celebrating his niece’s wedding when police say he started trying to fight other guests. Police said he knocked out a police officer and they shot him.
Now his family says they are working to “get the entire truth out” about what happened to him.
They said they have retained a lawyer, and they are awaiting the conclusion of an investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement into the shooting.
In a statement, the family added this about Knight: “He was a kind gentle soul, and his only crime committed that night was drinking and having a good time with his family. He is not a drinker and works 16 hour shifts nearly everyday to support his family. His niece’s wedding was the first day he was able to come out and celebrate in a long time. This shooting was unjustified and we are working with a lawyer and the FDLE to get the entire truth out.”
The incident started around 10 p.m. at the Winter Park Event Center on Morse Boulevard.
Officials say there was a large wedding underway with about 200 guests.
Police say Knight was attacking other guests and the police were called.
When officers arrived, Knight knocked one officer unconscious.
“This particular suspect was in a physical altercation. It appeared that he was going up to several people inside the party where he was battering people. It started inside the event center and ended up outside,” police said.
“During the physical altercation, the officer discharged his weapon,” a release stated.
Knight was taken to the hospital where he died.
Both officers were treated for non-life-threatening injuries. They’ve been released from the hospital.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating the officer-involved shooting.
Officials say the officer involved in the shooting has been placed on administrative duty as standard procedure.