Alteria Woods, a 21-year-old resident of Vero Beach, Florida, tragically lost her life on March 19, 2017, during a SWAT raid at a home in Gifford, a neighborhood in Indian River County. Woods was caught in the crossfire between law enforcement officers and her boyfriend, Andrew Coffee IV. The raid was part of an operation targeting Coffee's father, Andrew Coffee III, who was suspected of drug-related activities.
During the raid, deputies exchanged gunfire with Andrew Coffee IV, who claimed he was unaware that the intruders were law enforcement officers and believed he was defending himself from an assault. Unfortunately, Alteria Woods, who was lying on a bed at the time, was struck by bullets and died from her injuries.
The autopsy revealed that Woods was shot ten times by deputies during the chaotic exchange of gunfire. This incident sparked significant controversy and led to legal proceedings. Andrew Coffee IV was charged with felony murder in connection with Woods' death, as well as attempted murder of a law enforcement officer. However, in November 2021, a jury acquitted Coffee of these charges, determining that he acted in self-defense. The jury's decision was based on the argument that Coffee did not hear the deputies identify themselves and believed he was under attack.
Despite the acquittal, the Indian River County Sheriff's Office maintained that their deputies acted appropriately during the raid. The case highlighted the complexities and dangers of law enforcement operations, particularly those involving SWAT teams and high-risk suspects. The tragic death of Alteria Woods remains a poignant reminder of the potential for innocent lives to be lost in such operations.
