Friend of man killed by Lake deputies said he was a 'happy go lucky guy'

By Erica Rodriguez and Eloísa Ruano González, Orlando Sentinel
Jul. 17, 2012

A 26-year-old pizza deliveryman shot and killed by a Lake County deputy was a "happy–go-lucky guy" who likely was simply trying to protect himself when deputies knocked on his door, his boss and friend said Monday.

[...]Scott worked for two years at Hungry Howie's Pizza in Leesburg, where he was known to joke around and could be trusted to run the store, said store owner Pat Casalaspro, a friend of Scott's. Scott worked late Saturday, he said, and had plans to watch movies with his live-in girlfriend that night. He said Scott probably didn't know who was outside and answered the door holding a gun.

"I guarantee you he was trying to protect himself," Casalaspro said, adding that Scott was not confrontational.

[...]The Florida Civil Rights Association in Orlando said it plans to look into the shooting to determine if deputies used excessive force. J. Willie David III, association president, called for the Sheriff's Office to adopt a policy "that requires its deputies to identify themselves when attempting to gain access to an individual's home."

Read More