Lake Worth, FL: Lake Worth Man Killed In Deputy-Involved Shooting

Police: Man Shot After Making Gestures With Knives

POSTED: 6:50 pm EST November 19, 2009
UPDATED: 12:21 am EST November 20, 2009


LANTANA, Fla. -- A man was killed in a deputy-involved shooting in Lake Worth on Thursday, police said.
Police said deputies responded to a report of a domestic disturbance at 6182 Wauconda Way West at about 7 a.m. That's when they saw 46-year-old James Collins wielding two knives and making threatening gestures, they said.
Police said Collins and his girlfriend, Diane Repasky, both ignored verbal commands by one of the deputies to give up the knives and come out of the house. As the deputies attempted to disarm Collins, he made several slashing motions with the knife at one of the deputies.
Deputies said they tried to use their Tasers on the man, but he resisted. They said Collins removed the Taser prongs and got into a struggle with the deputies, which is when he was shot.
"Fearing for his safety, deputies fired their weapons hitting Collins. Collins was pronounced dead at the scene," said police.
The injured deputy was transported to JFK Medical Center where he was treated for several lacerations to both arms.
Collins's adult son and mother were notified of his death.
Chris Collins, the man's son, was estranged from his father. He said he got a text message from a friend Thursday morning saying she thought his father was dead.
"Words don't describe it," he said. "With my mom, she had cancer, I knew. This is just kind of like, 'Hey, how are you? Your dad was shot and killed today.'"
Police said all deputies involved in the incident are on paid administrative leave, which is standard procedure pending an investigation.