Damian Orozco Obituary, Death – Fort Lauderdale police have identified the man shot and killed by an off-duty officer at a local RV park on Wednesday evening. The shooting occurred at the Yacht Haven Park & Marina Resort, located at 2323 West State Road 84. According to authorities, the incident unfolded when the property manager at the RV park notified off-duty Lieutenant Jonathan Bohm about a disturbance caused by a man on the premises.
Responding to the call, Lieutenant Bohm arrived at the scene in his unmarked police vehicle, activating his emergency lights. He also requested backup from other officers. Upon encountering the man, identified as 49-year-old Damian Orozco, the situation escalated when Orozco claimed to be armed with a gun. During the confrontation, Bohm discharged his firearm, hitting Orozco. The man was transported to a nearby hospital but later died from his injuries.
Witnesses to the incident included Ruth Lenihan, who was staying at the campground with her two young sons, ages 10 and 7. Lenihan described the traumatic scene, saying her children witnessed the entire encounter. She expressed her fear that her sons could have been caught in the crossfire, highlighting the gravity of the situation. According to Lenihan, she heard the officer warning Orozco to stop moving or face being shot, followed by the sound of gunfire when Orozco ignored the officer’s commands. A nearby woman quickly grabbed Lenihan’s children and pulled them to safety inside a camper as the situation unfolded.
Lenihan, who had been staying at the RV park for several weeks, also mentioned that the argument between Orozco and the officer appeared to be over power issues, though police have not confirmed this detail. Lenihan’s account suggested that Orozco had been upset about a lack of power, which may have led to the disturbance.
In accordance with standard procedure following police-involved shootings, Lieutenant Bohm was placed on administrative leave with pay while the investigation into the incident continues. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) is handling the investigation. Fort Lauderdale Police Major Patrick Hart emphasized that Bohm had initially made contact with Orozco and requested backup before the shooting occurred. He added that further details about the circumstances surrounding the incident would be provided as the investigation unfolds.
This incident marks the fourth police-involved shooting in Fort Lauderdale within the last six weeks. Less than two weeks prior, another police-involved shooting occurred at a gas station after officers attempted to stop a driver. Police believed the driver had exited his vehicle with what appeared to be a weapon, leading to a fatal shooting. Earlier in January, two Fort Lauderdale officers shot and killed a man who was reportedly holding a fire-starting object in his hand. In December, a 22-year-old man, Jalen Moore, was shot and killed after he allegedly held his brother at gunpoint and failed to comply with police commands to drop the weapon.
As the investigation into the shooting continues, the community remains on edge, with multiple recent incidents contributing to the heightened scrutiny of police use of force in the area. The FDLE’s findings will determine whether the shooting was justified, and more information is expected as the investigation progresses.