The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office has identified the man who was shot and killed by a deputy Tuesday as Ronald G. Nelson, 54.

Sheriff Ric Bradshaw told reporters Tuesday afternoon that a citizen flagged down one deputy shortly after 9 a.m. and reported a man who was being “suspicious” near some bushes. The Sheriff’s Office said in a news release someone reported an attempted break-in into a building in the 1500 block of South Military Trail.

Bradshaw said the first deputy called for backup, and they found the man sitting with his back concealed against bushes when they arrived. He was “very uncooperative” and would not tell the deputies who he was, the sheriff said.

One deputy grabbed the man by the arm to get him to stand and a fight ensued, Bradshaw said.

“During the fight, he comes out with a firearm. They’re still fighting,” Bradshaw said. The second deputy “(felt) that the guy is getting ready to shoot the first deputy there” and then warned the other deputy before firing one shot.

Nelson was hit in his abdomen, Bradshaw said. The Sheriff’s Office on Facebook posted a photo of the gun that Bradshaw said Nelson had in his hand.

“The first deputy is lucky the guy didn’t shoot him. The second deputy that was the back up did a great job. One round, the guy goes down, and the incident was over,” Bradshaw said.

Palm Beach County Fire Rescue took the man to a hospital, where he died shortly before noon, the Sheriff’s Office news release said. Late Tuesday, the Sheriff’s Office identified him as Nelson Jr.

Florida Department of Corrections jail records show Nelson has prison sentences dating back to 1996. He was in and out of prison from then to as recently as 2022 serving sentences stemming from charges of carrying a concealed firearm, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, introducing or receiving contraband at a county detention facility, sexual battery with weapon or force, robbery, drug-related charges and battery.

The longest sentence Nelson received was nine years in 2002 for sexual battery and robbery, FDOC records show. His inmate profile said he met the criteria to be designated a sexual offender under state law.

The deputies’ identities were not released Tuesday. Both deputies have been placed on administrative leave, the Sheriff’s Office said.

The shooting is being investigated by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, PBSO violent crimes detectives and the Palm Beach County State Attorney’s Office. Bradshaw told reporters Tuesday afternoon that Internal Affairs officials were also at the scene and said the result of the investigation may come in about a week.

Information from WPEC-Ch. 12, a news partner of the South Florida Sun Sentinel, was used in this report.