The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is reviewing the shooting that killed 27-year-old Napolian Marquez Powell.
DAVIE, FL — Six Broward sheriff’s deputies and a Plantation police officer fatally shot an armed warrant suspect Monday night after he ran from a Wawa gas station to a nearby McDonald’s parking lot in Davie, authorities said.
The Broward Sheriff’s Office said the confrontation began as members of its Fugitive and Gang Unit moved to arrest 27-year-old Napolian Marquez Powell, who was wanted on warrants tied to fleeing and eluding. The shooting brought a large police response to the 6300 block of Stirling Road shortly after 7 p.m. and left investigators collecting evidence into Tuesday. No bystanders were reported hurt.
Broward Sheriff Gregory Tony said deputies found Powell while he was pumping gas at a Wawa at 6350 Stirling Road. Tony said Powell saw officers approaching, got out of the car and ran with a firearm in his hand. Deputies chased him across the busy commercial area toward a McDonald’s. “He was able to identify the officers on the approach, bailed out of the car, took off with the firearm in his hands, running through the parking lot,” Tony said. Deputies caught up to Powell in the McDonald’s parking lot and tackled him, but officials said he resisted arrest and officers could not get the gun away from him.
Tony said deputies gave Powell repeated orders to let go of the weapon before backing away. He said body camera footage showed officers spent more than a minute trying to get him to release the gun. “The officers probably spent over a minute and 15 seconds, from my count looking at the body camera, just trying to get this individual to let the firearm go,” Tony said. Investigators said Powell then moved as if he was trying to point the gun at law enforcement. Six Broward sheriff’s deputies and one Plantation police officer fired their weapons, striking Powell. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities said Powell was the subject of an active warrant for fleeing and eluding and was also linked by DNA evidence to other criminal cases. Tony said investigators planned to release more details later about those cases. Officials also said Powell had a history of running from police and had been under investigation for several weeks. Early statements from officials did not say whether Powell fired at officers. Tony said investigators would determine whether the suspect “might have gotten a shot off” before he was killed. The sheriff’s office said some deputies suffered minor cuts and scrapes during the struggle, but no law enforcement officer was seriously hurt.
The shooting unfolded in a shopping area with restaurants, gas pumps and parking lots along Stirling Road, drawing witnesses who described hearing a burst of gunfire. Gregory Jackson said he had just walked out of a nearby convenience store when he saw deputies around a suspect at the McDonald’s. Jackson said officers were telling the man to show his hands and get on the ground. “Next thing I know I hear almost 30 shots coming from the guns,” Jackson said. “I drop my phone and run.” Another witness, Valeria Balcarce, said she heard gunfire that continued in bursts. Liz Phong said she first thought the sound was fireworks before realizing it was gunfire.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating the shooting, a standard step in many Florida cases involving law enforcement use of deadly force. The sheriff’s office said the six deputies who fired were placed on administrative leave or administrative assignment while the review continues. Officials did not immediately name the deputies or the Plantation officer. Investigators also continued to review body camera footage, witness video and physical evidence from the Wawa and McDonald’s parking areas. BSO said the scene stretched across multiple blocks because the attempted arrest, foot chase, struggle and shooting happened in separate parts of the same commercial corridor.
Body camera footage had not been released as of Tuesday, and one station reported requesting the video. Officials said the footage was part of the active investigation. Powell’s name was released after the shooting, and the sheriff’s office said he died in the McDonald’s parking lot. The medical examiner’s office is expected to handle the formal findings on cause and manner of death. No charging decision had been announced for any officer, and officials did not provide a date for when FDLE would finish its review.
The case remained under investigation Wednesday, with FDLE handling the officer-involved shooting review and BSO reviewing its deputies’ actions under agency policy. The next major update is expected when investigators release body camera footage, officer names or findings from the state review.
Author note: Last updated July 1, 2026.