Update on June 23 deputy-involved shooting
Photo graphic courtesy of CCSO.
Citrus County, Florida - Shortly before 2:00 p.m. on Friday, June 23, 2023, Citrus County Sheriff's Office (CCSO) deputies attempted a traffic stop on a black four-door sedan, which failed to pull over and stop for law enforcement. Instead of complying with instructions from law enforcement, the suspect continued to flee from the area.
The driver, later identified as a 23 year-old man, Ahvi Samaad Deberry-Howe, of Elgin, South Carolina, "Caused multiple traffic accidents, by intentionally and violently ramming vehicles in front of him," said CCSO Community Relations Specialist Madeline Scarborough. "Deputies, attempting to stop Deberry-Howe from continuing his violent flight from law enforcement - through the area with heavily congested traffic in all directions - yelled commands at the driver, which he failed to comply with. Subsequently, a K-9 was deployed before turning to lethal force to stop the deadly threat to public safety. Following the use of lethal force, the suspect broke through the vehicles damaged by him and continued west on Gulf to Lake Highway (State Road 44) for another seven and a half miles. At times he (was) traveling at speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour, and after driving into oncoming traffic, the suspect eventually lost control of the vehicle and crashed. Deberry-Howe was transported to a hospital in Pasco County where he was treated for a non-life threatening bullet wound, from being shot by a deputy when he tried to run several deputies over, and for injuries sustained while being apprehended by the sheriff's office K-9."
Earlier in the day, deputies had attempted to conduct a traffic stop on the same vehicle and deriver in Citrus Springs, Florida, and instead of stopping for law enforcement, the driver had fled the area.
"Our deputies have a split second to assess the scene and take action to prevent further harm to our community," said Citrus County Sheriff Mike Prendergast "Thankfully, no innocent civilians or law enforcement were injured during this violent rampage across multiple miles of highly utilized and congested roadway in our county."
Once released from the hospital, Deberry-Howe will be picked up by authorities and brought to the Pasco County Jail on a Citrus County arrest warrant on charges of attempted murder of a law enforcement officer, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, aggravated fleeing and eluding, resisting officers with violence, and resisting officers without violence. He will be held with no bond.
"As is common practice with deputy involved shootings, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) is conducting an independent investigation into the incident, and the deputies involved will be placed on administrative leave pending the investigation," said Scarborough.