PASCO COUNTY, Fla. — A suspect search that spanned hours and miles in multiple counties ended Thursday night in gunfire.
According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, law enforcement shot a man accused of stealing a car and then carjacking another victim.
What You Need To Know
- Car theft suspect shot by law enforcement after carjacking, search in Tampa, Plant City and Dade City
- No deputies or officers injured
- The suspect, 36-year-old John Coker, remains in hospital
- Incident under investigation by FDLE
Officials said no deputies or any members of the public were injured in the shooting.
The suspect, identified Friday afternoon as 36-year-old John Coker, was taken to an area hospital.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating the shooting that ended what was a tense few hours for police spanning from Tampa to Plant City and into Dade City.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office said the situation started with a stolen car report from AdventHealth Tampa on Fletcher Avenue just after 6:30 p.m.
The owner of the car told deputies it was equipped with GPS and that allowed deputies to locate the car in Plant City.
Aviation units, K-9s and patrol cars then followed the car into Dade City.
Officials say the suspect then ditched the car at Publix on US Hwy 301, then went into a nearby neighborhood and at gun point forced his way into another car, forcing that driver to help him get away.
In Dade City, near 301 and Michael Street, the victim of the carjacking was able to stop the car and forced the suspect out, authorities said.
That’s when the sheriff’s office says the suspect pointed the gun at Dade City police and deputies. A Dade City police officer and four Hillsborough deputies opened fire.
Friday afternoon, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office released YouTube video of the incident. You can watch it below.
“The citizens are extremely lucky that no one was injured besides this suspect,” said Dade City Police Chief James Walters. “And the only reason that no one was injured was because of the brave actions of law enforcement officers who serve and protect every single day.”
“This wasn’t a mistake or a misunderstanding; this dangerous felon made deliberate choices that endangered the life of an innocent victim and the lives of several law enforcement officers,” said Sheriff Chad Chronister. “I can’t say enough about the careful but quick response of our deputies, the Dade City Police Officers, and the Pasco Sheriff’s Office deputies. Their outstanding work ensured no other community member became a victim of this violent felon.”
Coker will face multiple charges in connection with the car theft, carjacking and for pointing a gun at police.
