An Orlando police officer was indicted Wednesday on manslaughter charges stemming from an officer-involved shooting in 2018 at the Colonial Plaza, authorities said.
Master Police Officer Anthony Wongshue was notified about the indictment and turned himself in, investigators said, according to WFTV-TV.
On May 7, 2018, Wongshue and Officer Juan Abreu shot Juan Alberto Silva, 32, in the parking lot of Colonial Plaza near Bumby Avenue, police said.
Silva was an accomplice in a shoplifting incident at a Marshall’s store in Orlando, police said.
Investigators said the officers were responding to a nearby crash when they were called for a reported shoplifting at the store.
The officers asked Silva to stop his van, but he drove away, and they shot him, police said.
Wongshue was released from the Orange County Jail on bail.
“He remains employed by the Orlando Police Department on an administrative status pending the outcome of the criminal proceedings,” a news release said.
Abreu was cleared for his involvement by the State Attorney’s Office.
The Fraternal Order of Police released the following statement:
"As members of the Orlando Police Department return from Washington D.C. where they honored Fallen Heroes from around the nation, the Fraternal Order of Police was saddened to hear of the recent charges placed against Master Police Officer Anthony Wongshue. It is particularly disturbing because this matter had been looked into for the better part of a year without charges being filed. During that time, Master Police Officer Wongshue made himself fully available to the investigation.
"A Police Officer's job, at its essence, is to protect citizens from each other. In doing so, they put their lives on the line every day and risk their safety in every situation they come upon. We would ask that, as this long journey begins for Master Police Officer Wongshue to prepare and present his side of the story, that he be given the same courtesies, rights and protections that he has given to all others to whom he has sworn to protect for 16 plus years.
"As with all those he has had to arrest, he is presumed innocent and the state must prove his guilt beyond and to the exclusion of every reasonable doubt. As an organization, we staunchly stand with Master Police Officer Wongshue today and in the future as he faces this challenge.
"Please keep Master Police Officer Wongshue and all law enforcement officers in your thoughts and prayers."
About the Author
