Woman dead, man shot by police following armed domestic disturbance in Palm Bay, police say

PALM BAY, Fla. - A woman was found dead inside a home in Palm Bay early Friday morning, and a man was taken to the hospital after he reportedly shot at officers, who fired back, striking him.

Police responded to a home on Biarritz Street, NW, around 9 a.m. regarding a suspicious incident. Police said it was later determined to be an armed domestic disturbance.

At 9:13 p.m., police said they heard a gunshot from inside the home. Moments later, the suspect, later identified as 29-year-old Joseph Fleming, came out of the home and fired shots at the officers, who returned fire. Fleming then ran away, causing a quick search of the neighborhood, police said.

The Brevard County Aviation Unit located Fleming nearby, and he was taken into custody. He was transported to the hospital with critical injuries, police said in a news release.

Palm Bay Police Chief Mariano Augello told reporters that three officers would be placed on paid administrative leave, which is standard protocol in officer-involved shootings. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement will also investigate the shooting, which is standard protocol.

"My prayers are to the family of our victim this morning," Chief Augello said. "I pray for the men and women that serve this city and service our community. I pray for them every day, but I'm going to pray for them a little bit harder today."

Chief Augello did not release the woman's name or the names of the officers involved.

The Brevard County Sheriff's Office, West Melbourne Police Department, and Palm Bay Fire Rescue assisted, the police department said.