Fort Lauderdale Police Department Press Release Re: Karl Chludinsky Shooting
POLICE INVOLVED SHOOTING
Video: https://youtu.be/YP_P0e3qvko
The Fort Lauderdale Police Department (FLPD) is working in conjunction with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) the lead agency investigating a police-involved shooting that occurred on Thursday, March 21st, at approximately 8:42 a.m. This incident happened in the 1500 block of Southeast 17th Street in the city of Fort Lauderdale.
Preliminary investigation reveals FLPD was notified at approximately 7:39 a.m. via a text to 911 from a man reporting that he killed someone inside his hotel room. Additional information was received from the suspect regarding his wife being sexually assaulted and that he would kill anyone who approached his room.
Therefore, based on the information regarding a possible victim inside the room with the suspect, Fort Lauderdale officers responded to his room and attempted to contact him.
At that time, the suspect opened the door, brandished a firearm, and pointed it toward our officers, who exchanged gunfire with the suspect.
Immediately following the shooting, the suspect retreated into the hotel room and the door became closed. A SWAT call-out was initiated so that officers could make entry into the room. Once entry was made, the suspect was discovered dead. No one else was inside the room at the time of the shooting. The cause of death will be determined as a part of the active FDLE investigation.
Officer Jack DiCristofalo is believed to have been struck by gunfire multiple times. He was immediately transported by Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue (FLFR) to Broward Health Medical Center.
His injuries were determined to be serious but non-life-threatening.
Officer Pascal France also suffered minor injuries as a result of this incident, but he was not shot. He was treated on scene by FLFR.
The suspect is identified as Karl Chludinsky, W/M, DOB 7/18/77, a resident of the City of Margate.
Three FLPD officers assigned to the Patrol Division discharged their firearms during this incident.
In accordance with department policy, these officers have been placed on administrative leave with pay pending the outcome of FDLE’s investigation and an internal review. The three officers are identified as Officer Jack DiCristofalo, Officer Pascal France, and Officer Jose Lopez.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) will be conducting the investigation into the police-involved shooting as per the policy and agreement established in February 2017.
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