"Aggravated battery leads to deputy-involved shooting" in Crystal River
Photo courtesy of CCSO.
Citrus County, Floida - On Friday, June 23, 2023, Citrus County Sheriff's Office (CCSO) deputies attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a black four-door sedan in Citrus Springs, Florida. Instead of stopping for law enforcement, the driver of the vehicle fled the area.
Shortly before 2:00 p.m. the same day, CCSO deputies spotted a sedan and driver - that matched the description of the earlier attempted traffic stop - in Inverness, Florida, traveling west on East Gulf to Lake Highway (State Road 44) in Inverness, Florida. A deputy verified that the vehicle was the same vehicle in the earlier traffic stop and attempted to conduct a traffic stop on the vehicle, and once again, the driver failed to pull over.
The vehicle continued traveling west on East Gulf to Lake Highway, and due to congested traffic, the vehicle was forced to stop near the intersection of South Croft Avenue, a location with numerous commercial businesses nearby. While the driver was stopped in traffic, deputies attempted to make contact with the suspect, who refused to follow their commands. A K9 (police dog) was deployed by its deputy handler, and after the suspect's vehicle began to lunge forward, the K9 handler retrieved the K9, just before the suspect's vehicle struck a nearby vehicle, nearly slamming the vehicle's door shut on the K9.
"The suspect's vehicle then began to intentionally and violently ram the vehicles in front of it in an attempt to flee, carelessly and recklessly disregarding the safety of the innocent motorists and the deputies who were on scene," said Madeline Scarborough, CCSO Community Relations Specialist. "As a result of the suspect's lethal actions, deputies fired upon the suspect in an attempt to put a stop to this motorist's deadly action. "
The suspect's ramming aof nearby vehicles created a gap around the suspect's vehicle, which enabled him to continue his flight from deputies through heavily congested traffic. He continued traveling west on Gulf to Lake Highway (SR 44), for another seven and a half miles, at times traveling at speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour, before driving into oncoming traffic and eventually losing control of the vehicle. The vehicle side-swiped several vehicles before coming to a complete stop near the entry / exit ramps of the Suncoast Parkway (CR 589) along W. Gulf to Lake Hwy. in Lecanto, Florida.
No details were given in the press release about the shooting, but the press release stated that deputies secured the suspect and rendered first aid until emergency medical services (EMS) arrived on scene. The press release also stated that the suspect had not yet been identified, that he was in custody and transported to a hospital for medical treatment.
"Traffic stops can be dangerous; when we initiate one, everyone's safety is always at the forefront of our minds," said Citrus County Sheriff Mike Prendergast. "Thanks to the courage, quick thinking, and immediate actions of our deputies, no law enforcement or citizens were injured due to this suspect's chaotic and irrational actions."
"Multiple charges are pending in this case, which is still under investigation. Any additional details regarding this incident will be released when possible," said Scarborough. "As is common practice with deputy involved shootings, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) responded to the scene and is conducting an independent investigation into the incident."