Collier County Sheriff’s deputy shoots, kills man armed with shovel

Collier County Sheriff’s office is investigating a deputy-involved shooting that killed a man, who deputies say came at them with a shovel during early morning hours Thursday in Immokalee. It was also learned the suspect had a sharp-edged weapon as he charged toward deputies.

CCSO confirmed Nicholas Morales-Bessannia, 37, of Immokalee was shot by deputies during a response and died from his injuries.

Collier County deputies were called to the area of Edenfield Way at 1:12 a.m. in reference to a disturbance. The deputies who responded to the scene encountered a man, later named as Morales-Bessannia, armed with a shovel. He did not comply when ordered to the ground.

Details are still developing, but during the encounter, Morales-Bessannia advanced toward the deputies, one of whom says he felt in fear for his safety and the safety of those around him and shot at the man carrying the shovel.

Deputies administered first aid and Morales-Bessannia was transported to NCH Northeast, where he was pronounced dead.

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