The officer stepped in between the two men, who Hall said didn't know each other. Roland had broken into the apartment of a neighbor, who fled out the front door, authorities said. After smashing through the sliding glass patio door, he appeared to be drawn to any movement in his path. In that moment, the movement had been the little girl, Hall said. But the man refused and kept coming toward the officer.
Investigators examine the shooting scene at a Parkland apartment complex.
The deputy, who has not been identified, has been placed on paid administrative leave, which is standard department procedure. The victim was black. The patrol officer is of Filipino descent. One eyewitness, who acknowledged she was running away from the scene when the shots were fired, said she believes the officer did not have to kill Roland. She began to run, then the deputy drove up in his car and got out.