According to authorities, officers shot an armed Florida man to protect an innocent bystander.
ORLANDO, Fla. — Officials said a guy who had been acting erratically was shot by police officers as he dashed toward a car entering an Orlando apartment complex early Wednesday.
Deputy Chief Eric Smith said during a news conference that multiple residents contacted 911 just before 1 a.m. Wednesday about a man who was knocking on windows at the Vista Verde Apartments.
Officers arrived at the complex and discovered a man fleeing with a gun.
“They caught up to him because they observed him go into someone’s vehicle,” Smith explained. “Someone was driving into the parking lot, and he jumped into the passenger side of that vehicle.” “When officers approached him, they noticed a handgun.” Officers fired multiple bullets at the offender, striking him in order to protect the civilians remaining inside the vehicle.”
According to Smith, the individual was brought to Orlando Regional Medical Center and was in stable condition.
“This is really a terrible event,” Smith said, “but it’s one to which we responded in order to safeguard our folks.”
Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating the shooting. As a consequence of the incident, five officers have been put on paid administrative leave.
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