Florida Deputy Injured in Gunfight with Suspect Who Escaped After Snatching Cigarettes

A deputy in Florida was injured by a bullet Wednesday during a gunfight with a suspect who escaped after being suspected of snatching cigarettes and then took part in an hours-long standoff before he was taken into custody, authorities said.

Injuries Sustained by Deputy

The deputy who was shot at sustained non-life-threatening injuries, the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office reported in a press release on social media.

Standoff and Arrest

The man was brought into custody Wednesday morning following roughly a four-hour standoff during which he set fire to his house in Deltona, Florida, located about 30 miles (48 kilometers) northeast of Orlando, authorities said.

Incident Details

A worker at a convenience shop phoned deputies after spotting the guy take smokes. The suspect drove at officers arriving at the store and then attempted to flee but was impeded by stop sticks a deputy had deployed. The suspect was able to drive to his home with a deflated tire, followed by deputies who demanded him to get out of his truck. When deputies approached the vehicle in an attempt to remove him, the suspect fired at them, the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office stated.

Fire and Arrest

The suspect set fire to the cab of the truck and was pushed inside his home, where a short time later, deputies spotted smoke and flames rising from the top story. When the suspect was located on a balcony, deputies utilised an armored vehicle to knock down the balcony and bring the suspect to the ground, the press release claimed.

Suspect’s Injuries

The suspect was treated at the scene for unspecified injuries and then transferred to a hospital, authorities said.