OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. – Osceola County Sheriff Marcos Lopez released new information about the shooting that took place April 27th at a Target store in Kissimmee.

What You Need To Know

  • Sheriff Lopez still won't comment why deputies fired at Jayden Baez

  • FDLE Continues to investigate

  • No body cams were worn by law enforcement on scene

Deputies opened fire on a group of accused stealing Pokeman cards and a pizza. Jayden Baez was with three others that night. He, however, was the only one to lose his life.

This incident is one Sheriff Lopez still will not comment on as to why his deputies opened fire on Baez. Lopez says he won’t comment while the FDLE continues their investigation.  

Target store video surveillance footage was released by the Osceola County Sheriff's office Monday.  

According to a deputy report of the incident, 18-year-old Michael Gomez and 19-year-old Joseph Lowe were seen on store surveillance cameras concealing store merchandise and leaving the store without paying for any of the items.

When the two suspects got in to a black Audi being driven by Jayden Baez, deputies tried to block them with their unmarked vehicles  and prevent them from fleeing. A fourth passenger was in the car, but is not being named because they are a minor.

“Detectives exited their vehicles and stood in front of the suspect's car wearing a vest that said SHERIFF in four-inch lettering,” Osceola County Sheriff Marcos Lopez explains. “Verbally shouted the words stop, Sheriff's Office, Stop!”

But Lopez said the driver of the vehicle, Jayden Baez, did not stop. On the video released, Baez tries to break through the box-in, and according to Lopez damages four department vehicles, a couple of which had deputies inside them. 

It is not clear in the video when a deputy fired at Baez or which one, but Lopez said Baez was armed.

“It is also important to note as to potential charges,” Lopez begins. “When Mr. Baez was removed from the vehicle, a gold firearm with an extended magazine dropped from his person.”

Attorney Mark Nejame who is representing the Baez family, and those two other teens released a statement earlier stating there was no evidence to suggest that the firearm found was brandished, pointed at deputies, or fired.

Sheriff Lopez continues to not answer questions as to why his deputies fired at Baez.

“Thats how we do it here,” Lopez said in front of members of the media. “We do things a bit different here in Osceola County. We want to make sure this investigation has all the facts put forward. The shooting aspect of it is what the FDLE is going to conclude.”

Body cameras were not worn by any detectives or deputies on scene, including the two deputies who fired their weapons.

As to why deputies did not have body cameras on, Sheriff Lopez stated those on scene were coming from training exercises.

Sheriff Lopez said if Baez were still alive he would be face charges of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, three counts of aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer, and one count of concealing and carrying a firearm unlicensed.

The two other teens in the car, Lowe and Gomez, are being charged with petty theft.