For Immediate Release

June 28, 2016
 
WEST MELBOURNE, Fla. - The Florida Department of Law Enforcement arrested Yousef Hafza, 32, of West Melbourne, Florida on charges of second degree murder with a firearm and attempted second degree murder with a firearm following a June 19 road rage incident on Emerson Drive in Palm Bay.  Hafza, a deputy with the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office, who was off duty at the time of the incident did not identify himself as a law enforcement officer and was not acting in a law enforcement capacity.   
 
FDLE began the investigation at the request of Palm Bay Police Chief Mark Renkens and Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey.  The investigation shows Hafza’s vehicle and another vehicle nearly collided just after 11 a.m. on June 19.  The driver and a passenger followed Hafza’s car.  Hafza and the victims stopped their vehicles and exited.  During their interaction, Hafza fired his weapon, resulting in the death of the passenger in the other vehicle.  The driver of the vehicle was not injured.
 
Hafza was arrested this morning and is being held in the Brevard County Jail on no bond.   The State Attorney’s Office, 18th Judicial Circuit will prosecute this case. 
 
For Further Information Contact:
Gretl Plessinger, Molly Best or Steve Arthur
FDLE Office of Public Information
(850) 410-7001