Police Officer Kevin Valencia

Officer: Orlando Police Department, Police Officer Kevin Valencia

Date: 3/15/2021              Location: Orlando, FL           FACTORS (1,2,4,7,15,18,19,21)

Perpetrator(s) Involved: Gary Wayne Lindsey Jr.

Criminal Activity History/Involved: Described as a “violent career criminal,” Lindsay had prior arrests for domestic battery, arson, fleeing law enforcement, and grand theft./Yes, Lindsey Jr. had just assaulted his wife again.

Mental Illness: Yes, in 2014 a judge ordered Lindsey to receive mental health treatment because a victim described him as “violent, unpredictable and paranoid.”

Substance Abuse History/Involved: Unknown./None stated.

Race/Sex/Age:  White/Male/35

What prompted the initial contact with the killer? On June 10, 2018, Orlando Police responded to a 911 call of domestic violence after a woman reported being assaulted by her boyfriend Gary Wayne Lindsey Jr. As Officer Valencia tried to gain entry into the apartment with the key provided by the woman, Valencia believed Lindsey was obstructing the door from opening so he tried to kick the door in.

Actions taken by subject toward police: As Officer Valencia kicked the door, Lindsey fired through it striking him in the head.

Reactions by the police: Another officer returned fire at Lindsey, driving him further inside the apartment where he then barricaded himself with four children.

How murdered? Officer Valencia was shot in the head while trying to make entry into a house where a violent domestic violence incident was taking place.  After spending nearly three years in a coma from the shooting, Officer Valencia succumbed to his wounds.

What could have been done differently for the officer to still be alive? Based upon Lindsey’s violent attack upon his girlfriend and her concern for the safety of the children in the apartment, there were exigent circumstances making the officers believe they needed to make immediate entry. Had the officers not made that attempt and Lindsey still ended up murdering the children and himself, the officers would be second-guessed for that so it is hard to second-guess this outcome as well.  If officers carried shields with them then Officer Valencia could have stood behind one as he tried to make entry.

Would the officer have been justified to use deadly force before being murdered? No, Officer Valencia was shot through a door before he was able to visually identify Lindsey or see that he was armed.

Outcome for the cop-killer: At some point during the day-long standoff with police, Lindsey took his own life after murdering the four children he held hostage.

Miscellaneous: At the time of his death, Lindsey, 35, was on probation for multiple charges, including a suspended 10-year prison sentence that was repeatedly not enforced upon successive arrests. Had Lindsey still been in prison where he belonged, those four children and Officer Valencia would still be alive.