The Brevard County sheriff said Sunday that self-defense may have driven one of his deputies to shoot and kill a man while off duty in Palm Bay."At this time the only thing we can say is there appears to be a self-defense mechanism to it," Sheriff Wayne Ivey said.According to a Sheriff's Office news release, Deputy Yousef Hafza shot Clarence Howard."The deputy immediately, from what we're told, dialed 911," Ivey said.Ivey says the shooting stemmed from road rage miles away from where things escalated into gunfire at St. Johns Parkway and Emerson, where both roads end. It's usually a quiet part of town that doesn't see much traffic or commotion."I'm really surprised something like this happened," resident Delores Ervolini said. "There's no reason for us to be outraged at somebody who makes the wrong turn or moves out in front of you. Patience and kindness -- we need more now."The officer was not hurt. It's not clear if he used his service weapon in the shooting, but the sheriff said deputies are allowed to carry them off duty. He was traveling alone.At least one other person was in the car with Howard.Deputies are looking for other possible witnesses."We don't really have all the pieces together. We'll have to see how it all plays out," Ivey said.Hafza was placed on administrative leave pending an investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, which is standard procedure.

The Brevard County sheriff said Sunday that self-defense may have driven one of his deputies to shoot and kill a man while off duty in Palm Bay.

"At this time the only thing we can say is there appears to be a self-defense mechanism to it," Sheriff Wayne Ivey said.

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According to a Sheriff's Office news release, Deputy Yousef Hafza shot Clarence Howard.

"The deputy immediately, from what we're told, dialed 911," Ivey said.

Ivey says the shooting stemmed from road rage miles away from where things escalated into gunfire at St. Johns Parkway and Emerson, where both roads end. It's usually a quiet part of town that doesn't see much traffic or commotion.

"I'm really surprised something like this happened," resident Delores Ervolini said. "There's no reason for us to be outraged at somebody who makes the wrong turn or moves out in front of you. Patience and kindness -- we need more now."

The officer was not hurt. It's not clear if he used his service weapon in the shooting, but the sheriff said deputies are allowed to carry them off duty. He was traveling alone.

At least one other person was in the car with Howard.

Deputies are looking for other possible witnesses.

"We don't really have all the pieces together. We'll have to see how it all plays out," Ivey said.

Hafza was placed on administrative leave pending an investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, which is standard procedure.