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Off-Duty Riviera Beach Officer Fatally Shot

Associated Press

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) - An off-duty Riviera Beach police officer died from bullet wounds after he threatened his estranged wife and her companion with his police-issued gun, officials said.

Robert Beck, 34, died Sunday after he broke into the apartment of his estranged wife’s companion, 22-year-old Johnnie Rollins.

Rollins shot the officer several times with a .22 caliber rifle in self defense, according to the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office. No charges have been filed.

Beck’s police-issued loaded Glock was found near his body.

Police had been called twice before the fatal shooting.

First, Beck had pounded on the door and windows of Rollin’s apartment in suburban West Palm Beach and threatened Rollins late Saturday. Then he broke into his wife’s house and threatened her and their two-month-old son with his gun, according to sheriff’s reports. Both times he was gone when police arrived.

Josette and Robert Beck had separated last October after a domestic assault, according to a police report.

Josette Beck and Riviera Beach police declined to comment.