PUNTA GORDA — A man called 911 to demand another man be escorted off his property.
But when Charlotte County Sheriff's Office deputies realized there was an arrest for the caller, they attempted to place him into custody, he refused to comply, reportedly battling off taser shocks; pepper spray, bean-bag rounds, a baton and "hands-on" work by three deputies.
"Nothing phased this individual," Sheriff Bill Prummell said outside the scene late Wednesday. "I've never seen anything like it."
Elroy Wayne Clarke, 42, of 2080 Sandy Pine Drive, then allegedly attacked a deputy, which led that officer and another to shoot Clarke dead.
An officer-involved shooting investigation is now underway, with Prummell stating he will be transparent with the situation.
911 CALL
Clarke, according to a late Wednesday news conference, had called 911 about noon on Wednesday to complain that he wanted Troy Johnson, 44, off his property in rural Punta Gorda off Washington Loop Road.
Responding officers realized it was a civil matter, Prummell said.
Then they learned there was a warrant for Clarke for failure to appear on a June 4 trespassing arrest.
The arrest was for trespass, failure to leave property upon order by owner. His bond was $500.
Prummell stressed that officers verified Clarke was the man with the warrant.
"When they told him he was under arrest, and asked him to place his hands behind his back, he refused to do so. He was very noncompliant. The deputies tried to speak with him several times...tried to deescalate the situation."
As the situation escalated, different ways to get him to comply were used.
"They tried to use the Taser several times — had no effect. They used pepper spray — had no effect," Prummell said. "They used the baton and they even went, three deputies went hands-on with him at one point when he was laying down onto the ground, and he threw them off of him like they were rag dolls."
Clarke, who is a Black man, stood 6-3 inches tall and weighed 275 pounds, according to his June 4 arrest report.
Prummell, who didn't mention his race, stated one deputy retrieved and used a less-lethal shotgun that fired beanbag rounds. It didn't pause Clarke either.
That reportedly is when Clarke charged an officer, getting his hand on him.
Two of the three officers, including the one attacked, shot Clarke.
He died of his wounds.
NEW INVESTIGATION
The two officers who fired their weapons that killed Clarke are on administrative leave, pending the investigation, according to Charlotte County Sheriff's Public Information Officer Chris Hall.
Prummell stated the State Attorney's Office is a part of the investigation. At a news conference, reporters asked him about a video on social media showing the last few moments of the situation and the shooting.
"It doesn't show everything," Prummell stated.
He said he is going to get all the video evidence out to the public.
"We have body-worn cameras and we have dash-cams that show everything that happened," he said.
He stressed it will be released once basic redactions are made.
Prummell noted there were many contractors at the home along with neighbors and others. All the witness statements are being taken as a part of the entire inquiry.
One reporter asked about claims that Clarke and Troy Johnson were "foreign nationals" or foreign agents. Reportedly, Clarke had called himself "Elroy Ben Day" and "The King." Johnson had referred to himself as "The Emperor."
"They claim to be ...we've had interactions with them in the past where they've filed paperwork and things of that nature with the Clerk's Office," Prummell said. "There is no evidence that they are but we are looking further into it."
According to their arrest reports, Clarke was born in Jamaica; Johnson was born in the United States.
The Sheriff's Office noted they realized Clarke's family and friends are suffering through the situation as well.
"It's an unfortunate situation. It absolutely is tragic," Hall said.
TROY JOHNSON
Clarke had originally called authorities about Troy Johnson, who had been staying on the property.
Clarke, who owned the home, alleged Johnson had been "acting crazy" and he wanted him removed. Clarke said he didn't know what was wrong with Johnson but he needed help, Prummell said.
When officers arrived, that's not what they encountered.
"When deputies made contact with him, he was rational. He was uncooperative, but he was rational," Prummell said.
Johnson gave a fake name. Eventually his real name was learned and he was taken into custody for failure to register as a convicted felon and for obstruction.
THE BASICS
The situation happened outside the $1.6 million home on a 10 acre lot.
The 911 call happened about noon. The shooting happened about 20 minutes after they initially told Clarke he was going to be taken into custody, Prummell said.
"All the less-lethal that was used on him had no effect on him," he said. "And then, when he charged that deputy, that deputy appears to be in fear for his life. He did get his hands on him and he fired his weapon."
Charlotte County Media Relations Manager Skip Conroy said it was important to note the videos will be released.
"We want our community to see what happened here," he stated. "We're going to be as transparent as possible. Without a doubt. And the body cam footage, as well as the dash cam footage will be made available, but that may take a little time for it for redaction purposes and things like that."
It was unclear how many shots were fired or how many struck Clarke.
But, officials said, Clarke was at fault.
"The option was taken away from them when he charged them and, and actually got a hand on one of our deputies, it was, at that point, they have to defend themselves," Hall said.
One of the deputies was found to have suffered a head injury and was taken to a hospital.
Prummell spent much of the day at the scene, he said, worried about his officers.
"Believe it or not, this is a traumatic event for them as well." Email: scott.lawson@yoursun.com
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