Police: Plantation officer shot, killed man who punched him in the face

A man shot Sunday night by a Plantation police officer during a tussle with the cop died Monday morning after surgery, according to police.

Det. Philip Toman said officer Erik Carlton, a 14-year-veteran, was on routine foot patrol when he found the man behind a medical office building at 330 S. State Road 7.

“He told the man he couldn't hang out there, and the male attacked the officer and punched him in the face,” Toman said.

Carlton tried to use his Taser, but it was ineffective, Toman said.

“The subject was being aggressive and the officer fired his weapon," he said, adding that at least three shots were fired, but it wasn’t clear how many times the man was hit.

Police have not yet released the identity of the man because they have not located his family, Toman said.

Carlton was taken to Westside Regional Medical Center with injuries to his face and was later released. He has been reassigned to administrative duties, pending an internal affairs investigation.

The man was taken to Broward Health Medical Center.

Toman said the man has a lengthy arrest history with several violent crimes against police officers.

“This man was 6'2'', over 200 pounds,” Toman said. “Obviously [the officer] was in fear for his life and did what he had to do.”

This story was originally published July 13, 2015 at 8:44 PM with the headline "Police: Plantation officer shot, killed man who punched him in the face."