A man in Brandon, Florida intentionally drove into two sheriff’s deputies, causing severe leg injuries. The suspect, who had a history of criminal behavior and hostility towards law enforcement, was arrested by a third deputy. The deputies are expected to survive. Associated Press reported
Florida Man Intentionally Drives Into Two Sheriff’s Deputies, Leaving Them Badly Injured
In an alarming incident in Brandon, Florida, a 28-year-old man deliberately targeted and drove into two Hillsborough County sheriff’s deputies, causing severe leg injuries. The deputies were responding to a distress call from a concerned mother who reported her adult son’s erratic behavior. Sheriff Chad Chronister revealed this shocking incident during a press conference.
When the deputies approached the suspect, he quickly fled the scene in his running vehicle, parked outside his residence in the Tampa suburb of Brandon. However, he returned shortly after and accelerated his car, intentionally ramming into the deputies and trapping them against a patrol vehicle. Although both deputies sustained severe leg injuries, they are expected to recover.
Sheriff Chronister described this shocking act as an ambush, emphasizing that the suspect chose to weaponize his car on that fateful day. The deputies had no opportunity to evade the attack, highlighting the deliberate nature of the incident.
The injured deputies have been identified as Carlos Brito, aged 39, and Manny Santos, aged 31. Sheriff Chronister mentioned that after colliding with the deputies, the suspect tried to enter his house, but was promptly subdued by another deputy who had arrived at the scene.
The suspect now faces charges of attempted murder of law enforcement officers. Sheriff Chronister also revealed that the individual had a prior criminal record consisting of three felonies and 14 misdemeanors. Moreover, he had previously expressed hostility towards law enforcement.
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