Five stories to know this Friday evening, September 18, from Indian River County, Florida and Washington.

SEBASTIAN POLICE IDENTIFY MAN KILLED IN OFFICER-INVOLVED SHOOTING

Sebastian police identified the man killed Thursday night as 41-year-old Keaton Daucher. Interim Police Chief Tim Wood said officers responding to a noise complaint in the 500 block of Joy Haven Drive were speaking with Daucher’s mother when Daucher came out of the home carrying a shotgun. Both officers fired and then attempted lifesaving measures; Daucher was pronounced dead at the scene.

The officers were not injured and have been placed on paid administrative leave while the Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigates. Police had not publicly said whether the shotgun was loaded, whether Daucher pointed or fired it, how many shots were fired, or whether body-camera footage will be released.

VERO BEACH OFFICER PLACED ON LEAVE IN SECOND LOCAL FLOCK INVESTIGATION

Vero Beach Police Officer Chayse Hatfield has been placed on paid administrative leave while the department investigates allegations of possible misuse of the Flock Safety license-plate-reader system. Vero Beach police said the department opened a formal investigation after being contacted by a news organization about the allegations. No finding of wrongdoing against Hatfield has been announced.

Published reporting based on Flock data says Hatfield searched a license plate connected to his name 107 times between February and September 2025. The investigation makes him the second Indian River County law-enforcement officer, and third on the Treasure Coast, to face scrutiny over possible Flock misuse.

DESANTIS SIGNS DEATH WARRANT FOR MAN CONVICTED OF KILLING INDIAN RIVER DEPUTY

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a death warrant for William Reaves Jr., 77, who was convicted of murdering Indian River County Sheriff’s Deputy Richard Raczkoski in 1986. Reaves is scheduled to be executed October 20 at 6 p.m. at Florida State Prison.

Raczkoski was killed after responding to a 911 call near Vero Beach on September 23, 1986. A section of State Road 60 bears his name, and he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Valor by the International Police Association.

FLORIDA GOVERNOR POLL SHOWS DONALDS AND JOLLY SEPARATED BY ONE-TENTH OF A POINT

A St. Pete Polls survey conducted September 17 among 913 likely Florida voters measured Republican Byron Donalds at 43.5% and Democrat David Jolly at 43.4% in the governor’s race. The reported margin of error is plus or minus 3.2 percentage points, meaning the measured difference is not statistically significant.

The survey is one snapshot of likely voters and should not be treated as a forecast of the November result. Polling can vary based on methodology, turnout assumptions and timing.

ALL 50 STATES APPLY FOR MEDICAID DRUG-PRICING MODEL

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced Friday that all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico have applied to participate in the GENEROUS Medicaid drug-pricing model. CMS says 40 states and Puerto Rico have already signed participation agreements, with remaining states having until September 30 to finalize agreements.

The voluntary model uses supplemental manufacturer rebates intended to align net Medicaid prices for certain drugs with prices paid in selected other countries. CMS estimates the program could save about $5.2 billion annually, although the eventual savings and effects will depend on participation and implementation.

IRC Media uses aggregated public data and verified sources; articles reviewed by editorial team to the best of our ability.