Linda Jean Croteau Shooting: What Happened at the Port Orange Police Department?
PORT ORANGE, Fla. — The Linda Jean Croteau shooting has drawn widespread attention after Port Orange police identified a 71-year-old woman who was shot by officers following a gunfire incident inside the Port Orange Police Department.
According to police and local news reports, the incident happened Thursday morning, September 3, 2026, at the Port Orange Police Department on South Clyde Morris Boulevard. Authorities said Croteau entered the police department lobby, displayed a handgun and fired a round while civilian employees were working nearby.
Croteau was subsequently confronted by responding officers outside the building and was shot during an officer-involved confrontation. She was transported to a hospital and remained in critical condition, according to authorities. No police officers or police department employees were reported injured.
Who Is Linda Jean Croteau?
Police identified the woman involved as Linda Jean Croteau, 71, a Port Orange resident.
Authorities have not announced a criminal motive for the incident, and investigators continue to examine what led to the shooting. Police Chief Manuel Marino said it was too early in the investigation to determine why Croteau entered the department and allegedly opened fire.
Local reporting also identified Croteau as a resident of Port Orange. However, information circulating online about her background should be treated cautiously while authorities continue their investigation.
How the Port Orange Police Department Shooting Unfolded
Police Chief Manuel Marino said Croteau entered the department’s lobby at approximately 8:30 a.m.
According to police, she interacted with civilian personnel in the records area before producing a handgun. Investigators said she fired at least one round inside the lobby in the direction of the area where civilian employees were working.
Croteau then left the lobby.
Three officers responding to the incident confronted her outside the police department. An officer-involved shooting followed, and Croteau was struck by police gunfire.
She was taken to a hospital for treatment and was reported to be in critical condition.
No Officers or Employees Were Injured
One of the most significant developments in the investigation is that no Port Orange police officers or civilian employees were reported injured during the incident.
Police said their immediate focus following the shooting included supporting employees who witnessed the incident.
Chief Marino also indicated that the department would provide critical-incident resources to employees and officers affected by the event.
Witnesses Describe the Scene
People near the police department reported hearing gunfire and seeing the subsequent police response.
One witness interviewed by local media said he saw Croteau leave the police station while carrying a handgun. Police officials, however, said that when officers confronted her, she was still holding the firearm.
Because the investigation remains active, accounts from witnesses and preliminary police statements may be supplemented or clarified as investigators release additional information.
Why Did Linda Jean Croteau Open Fire?
At this stage, authorities have not publicly established a motive for the shooting.
Police have also not confirmed whether Croteau had any previous dispute or other significant interaction with the Port Orange Police Department that might explain why she entered the station.
That makes the motive one of the major unanswered questions in the investigation.
It is important to distinguish confirmed information from speculation circulating on social media. Until investigators release additional findings, claims about Croteau’s intentions or reasons for the shooting should not be treated as established facts.
Florida Department of Law Enforcement Investigation
The officer-involved shooting is being investigated separately from the events that allegedly led to Croteau being shot.
The involvement of outside investigators in officer-involved shootings is a standard part of determining what occurred and whether the use of force complied with applicable procedures.
Authorities are expected to examine the actions of the officers involved, witness accounts, physical evidence and other information gathered from the scene.
Port Orange Police Department Lobby Closed
Following the shooting, the Port Orange Police Department lobby was closed while investigators processed the scene.
Local reports said the lobby was expected to remain closed until Tuesday, September 8, as the investigation continued.
Residents needing police services should check official Port Orange Police Department communications for information about alternative arrangements while the lobby remains closed.
Linda Jean Croteau Shooting Investigation Remains Ongoing
The Linda Jean Croteau shooting remains an active investigation.
The major confirmed facts are that police identified Croteau as a 71-year-old woman, authorities say she entered the Port Orange Police Department lobby with a handgun and fired a round, and officers subsequently confronted and shot her outside the building.
Croteau was hospitalized in critical condition, while no officers or police employees were reported injured.
Authorities have not yet announced a motive or provided a complete explanation of the circumstances that preceded the shooting.
As investigators continue gathering evidence, additional information could change or add context to the preliminary account.
What We Know So Far
- Name: Linda Jean Croteau
- Age: 71
- Location: Port Orange, Florida
- Incident: Gunfire inside the Port Orange Police Department lobby
- Date: September 3, 2026
- Approximate time: Around 8:30 a.m.
- Weapon: Police said Croteau had a handgun
- Police response: Three officers confronted her outside the building
- Outcome: Croteau was shot and hospitalized
- Condition: Critical, according to police
- Officer injuries: None reported
- Police employee injuries: None reported
- Motive: Not publicly established
- Investigation: Ongoing
Frequently Asked Questions About the Linda Jean Croteau Shooting
Who is Linda Jean Croteau?
Linda Jean Croteau is a 71-year-old Port Orange woman whom police identified as the person involved in the September 3 shooting at the Port Orange Police Department.
What happened to Linda Jean Croteau?
Police said Croteau entered the police department lobby with a handgun and fired a round. After she exited the building, responding officers confronted her, and an officer-involved shooting occurred. She was taken to a hospital in critical condition.
Where did the shooting happen?
The incident occurred at the Port Orange Police Department on South Clyde Morris Boulevard in Port Orange, Florida.
Were any police officers injured?
No police officers were reported injured in the incident.
Were any civilian employees injured?
Authorities said no police department employees were injured.
Why did Linda Jean Croteau allegedly open fire?
Police have not publicly established a motive. The circumstances leading up to the shooting remain under investigation.
Is the Port Orange Police Department open?
The department’s lobby was closed following the shooting while investigators processed the scene. Local reports said the lobby was expected to remain closed through September 8.
Is the investigation finished?
No. Authorities continue to investigate both the shooting inside the police department and the subsequent officer-involved shooting.
Final Update
The Linda Jean Croteau shooting is an evolving Florida law-enforcement story. While officials have confirmed Croteau’s identity and described the sequence of events, several important questions — particularly the motive and the complete circumstances surrounding the confrontation — remain unanswered.
Readers should rely on official police statements and established local news organizations for future updates rather than unverified social-media claims.
This article will require updating as investigators release additional confirmed information.