Fort Pierce, Florida — At 8:38 p.m. Thursday evening, Fort Pierce Police responded to a call at 1045 South 27th Circle. The caller indicated that someone was violently attacking her daughter, said Chief Diane Hobley-Burney.
Once on scene, officers observed an adult male sitting on top of a small girl holding a knife to her neck. The officers also observed that the child had sustained multiple serious injuries.
Responding officers gave strict commands to the suspect that were ignored, resulting in their decisive action of using deadly force to stop the violent attack. Fort Pierce Police Officers immediately began heroic lifesaving efforts.
“The officers, when they arrived, realized this was a very desperate situation, where he was over the victim, and they tried everything in their power to talk him away from her, and he just wouldn’t obey their commands,” Mascara said. “As a result, they had to use deadly force in an attempt to save that little girl’s life.”
Fort Pierce Police Department Chief Hobley-Burney requested that the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office conduct this investigation. Sheriff Mascara said, to conduct a thorough investigation, time is of the essence for the preservation and collection of evidence and the identification of witnesses.
The St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division was on scene within 15 minutes of being requested.
The Sheriff identified the suspect as Steve Dormil, age 27, and was pronounced dead on the scene. The girl was identified as 5-year-old Olesia Doug.
She was transported to Lawnwood Regional Medical Center where she died as a result of her injuries. Dormil has been confirmed as the live-in boyfriend of the child’s mother. The mother was identified as 25-year-old Ivy Leopold.
Sheriff Mascara said anyone with information can call detectives at 772-462-3230. Those who wish to give their tip anonymously and be eligible for a cash reward if the tip leads to an arrest, can contact Treasure Coast Crime Stoppers at 1-800-273-8477 (TIPS). -SLSD
