On November 21, 2025, Indian River County Deputy Terri Sweeting-Mashkow, a 47-year-old 25-year veteran, was tragically shot and killed while serving an eviction notice at a Vero Beach gated community in an entirely senseless and seemingly unexpected shootout with the to-be evicted tenant.
The suspect, Michael Halberstam, allegedly fired indiscriminately upon deputies and a locksmith while being evicted by his mother. Sweeting-Mashkow was killed, another deputy was wounded in the shoulder, and the locksmith is in critical condition.
For context, Halberstam, who has prior charges, is critically injured after facing return fire from the deputies. Sheriff Flowers called it an “awful day,” noting how the slaying occurred six days before Thanksgiving, the agency’s second line-of-duty death in 100 years.
Summarizing the event, an official account explained how the eviction notice turned into a gunfight. “While (the deputies) were in the entry way – having just entered the home – Halberstam retrieved a weapon and began indiscriminately firing at our deputies on scene. It’s a terrible scene out there,” a report noted
Reacting in a post to social media, the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office described the reaction of the department, writing, “It is with profound sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Deputy Terri Sweeting-Mashkow, who was killed in the line of duty on November 21st, 2025 while faithfully serving our community.”
Offering another set of condolences, the Sheriff’s Office announced, “Her loss is felt deeply by every member of our agency, as well as by the community she served with pride.” Speaking directly, Sheriff Eric Flowers admitted, “What an awful day. Six days before Thanksgiving.”
Continuing his comments, the law enforcement officer stated, “The regular duties that our deputies bravely do every day in and out, and today Deputy Terri Sweeting-Mashkow, 25 years of service, 47 years old, gave her life for this community.”
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Flowers further added, commenting on what it was like to speak to the fallen deputy’s family, “Having to call her mom today, having to let her husband know, (is) absolutely the worst part of being a law enforcement leader. Terri was an amazing deputy with a beautiful heart. She will be missed.”
Offering more details, an official stated that the suspect was not known to law enforcement. A statement noted, “This is not someone who was on our radar, this is not somebody that we were actively engaged with. This was a standard call for service, this is the every day call, the eviction, the regular duties that our deputies bravely do every day, in and out.”
However, apparently, the suspect has made threatening posts on social media. “Halberstam had been terminated from his job at UPS and had a previous narcotics charge and a misdemeanor assault charge. [He] had been posting some negative items about the Indian River Sheriff’s Office on a social media account,” Flowers explained.
Remembering a co-worker, another deputy said, “I’m absolutely heartbroken. I’ve worked my entire career with Terri and as have pretty much everybody else at the agency. You know, we don’t have a lot of people who have been there beyond that time.”
A family member of another officer said, “We love Terri very much. She’s like a daughter to us. I can’t say enough about her. She died a hero today. This is just unbelievable.” Echoing these comments, Sheriff Eric Flowers asserted, “I’m absolutely heartbroken. I’ve worked my entire career with Terri.”