Florida man runs over deputy in stolen vehicle, deputy opens fire on suspect
Tuesday, May 23, 2023 -- Gunfire erupted as deputies and officers discharged their weapons, the sheriff's office said. The stolen vehicle continued until the driver, later identified as 38-year-old Randall Gray, crashed into a tree about 70 yards away. He crawled out of the vehicle and ran before K-9 deputies arrested him a short while later. There was an uninjured passenger inside the vehicle but they were cooperative with law enforcement. (Manatee County Sheriff's Office)
PALMETTO, Fla. (CBS12) — A convicted felon is accused of running over a sheriff's deputy, causing the deputy to open fire on the suspect.
The Manatee County Sheriff's Office (MCSO) said at around 10 p.m. on Tuesday, Palmetto Police officers were dispatched to a stolen vehicle, and deputies responded for backup. Two deputies arrived at 17th Street West and saw officers with their weapons drawn, giving verbal commands for the driver to get out of the vehicle.
The sheriff's office said a uniformed deputy in a marked patrol car parked in front of the stolen vehicle and exited with their firearm drawn. The driver continued to ignore commands and accelerated the vehicle toward another uniformed deputy standing nearby. That deputy, while trying to get out of the way of the moving vehicle, was run over by the suspect.
Gunfire erupted as deputies and officers discharged their weapons, the sheriff's office said. The stolen vehicle continued until the driver, later identified as 38-year-old Randall Gray, crashed into a tree about 70 yards away. He crawled out of the vehicle and ran before K-9 deputies arrested him a short while later. There was an uninjured passenger inside the vehicle but they were cooperative with law enforcement.
Investigators say the injured deputy was transported to a local hospital with trauma to his legs, but was later released. Gray sustained an injury to his hand.
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The sheriff's office said Gray is a longtime convicted felon. He was charged with attempted murder of a law enforcement officer, and additional charges are pending.
Gray was out on bond from Sumter County for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and other charges.
"We are very fortunate the deputy survived this unnecessary act of violence committed against him while he was simply doing his job. It's disturbing this habitual convicted felon was out on our streets and able to commit more crimes," said Sheriff Rick Wells.
The sheriff's deputy who opened fire is now on routine paid administrative leave while an investigation into the shooting, and an internal investigation is conducted.