Off Duty Florida Wildlife Officer Fatally Shot While Confronting Reckless Driver

An off duty state wildlife conservation officer was fatally shot while confronting a reckless driver at LaBelle, Florida, on Sunday (June 14).

The accused, who was identified as 20-year-old Eliceo Hernandez, shot 30-year-old Julian Keen Jr., a Florida Wildlife Conservation officer after he was pulled over for driving recklessly.

According to investigators, Keen and another individual had witnessed a reckless driver and followed him. When they pulled over, Keen confronted and attempted to stop Hernandez, following which the former was fatally shot.

When deputy officers arrived at the scene, they found the victim unresponsive. Keen had reportedly been working with wildlife conservation since 2016.

The case was being investigated by The Hendry County Sheriff’s Office along with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

Following the incident, three suspects were taken into custody, including Hernandez. According to the Sheriff’s Office, two of the suspects were questioned and released.

On Monday, Hernandez was arrested and charged with negligent homicide for fatally shooting the state wildlife officer. He was being held at Hendry County Jail with a bail of $500,000. It is unclear if there will be additional charges.

“Our hearts are aching today. He was a remarkable man because of the depths of his commitment to all around him,” said Steven Whidden, Hendry County Sheriff. “We are deeply saddened by the death of FWC Officer Keen. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, members of FWC, friends and community. We will do everything we can to bring about justice to those guilty in his shooting death.”

“He was a genuine officer who would literally give his shirt off his back to ANYONE who needed it. Please pray for his family and law enforcement everywhere as we face these troubling times,” Florida Highway Patrol Command Officers Association mentioned in a Facebook post.

According to a spokesperson from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the case was still under investigation. No further information was available at the time.