Shooting at school leads to charges

Report: Man shot by police was trespassing

A Riviera Beach police officer was “forced” to fire her gun to protect herself, students and staff members during a confrontation with a man Monday morning in the parking lot of Suncoast Community High School, according to a Palm Beach County School District Police arrest report made public Tuesday, April 23.

Officers took Delroy Thomas, 29, of Riviera Beach into custody after he allegedly trespassed on school grounds and fought with Riviera Beach officer Nodane Cherisma as she attempted to stop him from entering the campus as students were arriving at the school.

The officer shot Thomas twice during the confrontation, according to the arrest report. He was taken to St. Mary's Medical Center and was in stable condition Monday afternoon. Jail records showed that he remained at the hospital as School District of Palm Beach County Police formally arrested him.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating the shooting at the request of Riviera Beach police. The state agency often takes over investigations in cases where a law enforcement officer shoots someone.

City police did not disclose how long Cherisma has been with the department or say whether she has been placed on administrative leave, a policy many departments follow after officer-involved shootings. A department spokesperson said she could not discuss the case, citing the active investigation.

Thomas faces charges that include battery on a law-enforcement officer, resisting with violence and trespass