The seven members of the Highlands County Sheriff's Special Response Team involved in the Jan. 29 fatal shooting of a Lake Placid man are back on administrative duties following a recommendation to Sheriff Susan Benton, according to Maj. Mark Schrader.
Schrader said he made the recommendation after a review of the criminal investigation's findings. They were back to work Monday strictly in an administrative capacity pending a review of the case by the state attorney's office.
The major expects those findings to be presented to Assistant State Attorney Steve Houchin by the end of the week.
All seven were placed on paid administrative leave following the shooting of 60-year-old Rocky Allen Watson in the woods behind Sunflower Avenue in Sun 'n Lakes after family members called dispatch saying he had just shot someone.
When Watson was found in the woods, he was reportedly armed with several swords and a firearm. He refused to put down his weapons and law enforcement tried to subdue him with a Taser, but that was when he threw one of the swords and hit one of the SRT members in the head, according to the HCSO.
The SRT then opened fire and killed Watson.
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