UPDATE - DRIVER DECEASED: Vehicle pursuit into Marion County, FL ends with crash and shooting of suspect by Citrus County deputies
CCSO photo graphic.
Citrus County Sheriff's Office
November 25, 2023, 5:53 pm
Citrus County, Florida - The driver of a vehicle - who was shot by deputies after he ignored an attempted traffic stop, fled from deputies and then exited the vehicle holding a rifle - died at an area hospital. His identity was revealed as Skyler Wentworth, 33, of Titusville, Florida.
On Friday night, November 24, 2023, Citrus County Sheriff's Office (CCSO) deputies attempted to conduct a traffic stop on the vehicle Wentworth was driving, a Mitsubishi SUV, due to a traffic infraction. Instead of pulling over for the traffic stop, Wentworth, who had not been positively identified at this point, fled from deputies and immediately threw a black bag from his vehicle. The bag, later collected as evidence, contained pressed pills that tested positive for the deadly drug, fentanyl.
The pursuit of Wentworth's vehicle was initially canceled, due to safety concerns, when deputies noticed a female passenger in the front seat and a child in the back seat who appeared to be in distress and was also attempting to exit the moving vehicle. However, Wentworth slowed the vehicle and allowed his passengers to exit from the SUV onto the side of the roadway, and deputies resumed the pursuit, which continued for approximately ten miles into Marion County on State Road 200.
Deputies twice placed stopsticks onto the roadway, to deflate the tires of the Mitsubushi, which slowed, but did not stop the vehicle. A Marion County deputy performed a PIT (Precision Immobilization Technique) maneuver on the vehicle (using the patrol vehicle to ram the rear quarter panel of a fleeing vehicle to force the vehicle into a spin and thus stop it), which resulted in Wentworth's vehicle colliding with a tree. Wentworth exited his crashed vehicle with a rifle in hand. Citrus County deputies discharged their firearms at Wentworth, who was transported via a medical helicopter to an area hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries.
"Wentworth is no stranger to our deputies; he is registered as a career criminal and has an extensive drug-related criminal history in our county," said CCSO Colonel Elena Vitt. "None of our deputies ever WANT to use lethal force, but they are prepared to, if it means saving countless others."
As per CCSO policy, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) is investigating the officer-involved shooting.
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse and needs assistance with finding resources, please contact the CCSO Behavioral Health Unit at (352) 249-2790.
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Citrus County Sheriff's Office, November 24, 2023
Citrus County, Florida - On Friday evening, November 24, 2023, the pursuit of a suspect attempting to flee from deputies resulted in the suspect crashing into a power pole, exiting his vehicle with a weapon, and being shot by deputies.
The incident began when Citrus County Sheriff's Office (CCSO) deputies attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a Mitsubishi sport utility vehicle (SUV) in Hernando, Florida. "The driver was suspected of having a felony warrant," according to Madeline Scarborough, a Community Relations Specialist with the CCSO.
However, the driver failed to stop, and deputies engaged in a pursuit of the suspect's vehicle. Deputies attempted to end the vehicle pursuit by the use of a tire deflation device, but the vehicle did not stop. Deputies placed a second tire deflation device in the roadway and successfully slowed the vehicle, although the driver continued traveling in a northeasterly direction on State Road 200, and entered into Marion County, where Marion County Sheriff's Office (MCSO) deputies joined in the pursuit.
MCSO deputies used the Precision Immobilization Technique (PIT). Using this maneuver, a patrol vehicle rams into the side of the rear quarter panel of the fleeing vehicle, causing it to spin out and eventually stop. The PIT maneuver caused the Mitsubishi SUV to spin out and crash into a power pole.
"The suspect then exited the vehicle with a rifle in hand, posing an immediate threat to the deputies and nearby citizens," said Scarborough. "CCSO deputies drew their firearms and fired at the suspect, stopping the threat."
The suspect, whose name was not immediately released, was transported to a medical facility in unspecifed condition for treatment of his injuries.
"The suspect in this incident posed a significant threat to two communities today through his reckless actions," said CCSO Colonel Elena Vitt. "At the end of the day, the deputies on scene had only seconds to decide how to respond, to protect every citizen in the area, before the suspect decided to further endanger the lives of both law enforcement officers and civilians present. This is yet another example of why having a great working relationship with all of our law enforcement partners is imperative. We joined forces and seamlessly protected those we swore an oath to serve."
"As per CCSO policy, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) will be investigating the officer-involved shooting, along with the Marion County Sheriff's Office. More information will be provided when it becomes available," said Scarborough.