Deosaran Maharaj, 51, of Pompano Beach, Florida, died on March 16, 2014, after a deputy-involved shooting at a Marathon Gas Station on Hammondville Road and Northwest 31 Avenue. Broward Sheriff’s Office says the incident began when a woman reported Maharaj had threatened her with a machete. The woman and a deputy identified Maharaj, who left in his white truck; Deputy Paul Yesbeck followed and stopped the vehicle.

According to BSO, Maharaj exited his truck and did not comply with commands to show his hands and get on the ground. He moved toward the back of the truck, and the deputy, feeling threatened, shot Maharaj multiple times. Maharaj was pronounced dead; a machete and coconuts were found in the truck bed, consistent with his work selling coconuts. The shooting prompted controversy and calls for further investigation. Maharaj’s family, including his mother Ramdaye Gosein, questioned the necessity of lethal force and noted he was not holding the machete when he was shot. BSO carried out an internal investigation; Deputy Yesbeck retired in August 2014.

Does anyone have firsthand information about the stop, the witness who reported the machete threat, or Maharaj’s activities that day?