Fort Lauderdale police have released a video of a deadly shooting involving two of their officers that occurred early Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025, in the parking lot of a business on the 5300 block of Northwest 33rd Avenue.
The shooting, which resulted in the death of 31-year-old Roberson Fertil, is under investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
Officers open fire
According to preliminary findings, Fort Lauderdale officers responded to reports of a man setting fire to a building around 6:36 a.m.
Upon arrival, officers encountered Fertil actively throwing what appeared to be incendiary devices in their direction.
Despite repeated verbal commands to drop the objects, Fertil did not comply.
Two officers, identified as officer Dellica Harris and officer Robert Strout, discharged their firearms, striking Fertil, who was pronounced dead at the scene.
Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue (FLFR) extinguished the fire and no officers were injured during the incident.
Suspect linked to earlier arson
As the investigation unfolded, detectives discovered that another fire had been set hours earlier, at approximately 3 a.m., at a business on the 3590 block of Northwest 56th Street, one block away from the scene of the shooting.
The fire caused significant damage and authorities later determined that Fertil was responsible for both incidents. A note left by the suspect indicated he would be present at the second fire.
Investigation ongoing
FLPD is working alongside FLFR, the State Fire Marshal’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) in the arson investigation.
Meanwhile, FDLE continues to lead the review of the officer-involved shooting, with FLPD’s Office of Internal Affairs conducting a parallel investigation.
Following standard protocol, Harris and Strout have been placed on administrative leave with pay pending the outcome of the investigations.
