Authorities in Indian River County, Florida, are working to understand how a routine eviction turned into a deadly confrontation. On November 21, Deputy Terri Mashkow, 47, was fatally shot while helping remove a woman’s son from her home in Vero Beach. A second deputy was also injured.
Sheriff Eric Flowers described the tragedy as “an awful day,” noting that it occurred less than a week before Thanksgiving. What began as a standard call quickly escalated. Mashkow, another deputy, and a locksmith approached the home to carry out the eviction. Before they could begin, the resident, Michael Halberstam, reportedly grabbed a gun and opened fire.
Remembering and honoring a fallen law enforcement hero–Indian River County (FL) Deputy Terri Mashkow, 47, was shot and killed on 11-21-25 while serving an eviction notice. #behindbadge #officerdown #fallenhero pic.twitter.com/Z9DrAuuVaZ
— Citizens Behind the Badge (@CitizensBTB) November 22, 2025
Deputies returned fire, striking Halberstam multiple times. His shots wounded both deputies and the locksmith. Mashkow’s injuries were fatal, and Flowers struggled to hold back emotion as he spoke about her dedication. “She had a beautiful heart. She will be missed,” he said. The second deputy, who was hit in the shoulder, is expected to recover.
Halberstam was taken to the hospital in critical condition and later died on November 23. Officials say he had previous arrests involving narcotics and assault, and investigators discovered troubling online posts, including comments directed at the sheriff’s office. It remains unclear why his mother requested the eviction.
Top state officials, including Governor Ron DeSantis and Attorney General James Uthmeier, acknowledged the shooting and expressed condolences. In honor of her service, Mashkow has been posthumously promoted to sergeant.
Family members shared emotional tributes, describing Mashkow as a devoted mother, a loyal friend, and a compassionate officer who cared deeply for her community. Her cousin Joan Bennett said, “She was a sweetheart. She loved her dogs. She helped people even when she wasn’t on duty.”
Mashkow leaves behind her husband, daughter, and stepson, along with a community grieving her loss.
