An Orlando police officer discharged their weapon at a speeding car after it nearly struck pedestrians and headed toward law enforcement officials last night. The driver, identified as 29-year-old Cliff Presley Garcia Francois, was reportedly involved in a reckless chase that ended with his arrest downtown, according to ClickOrlando.
Detailing the events provided by the Orlando Police Department, it was just before 11 p.m. when officers attending to a suspicious vehicle at 55 West Garage initiated a pursuit. Francois allegedly tore out of the parking structure and sped through downtown Orlando, running a red light at Orange Avenue and colliding with a vehicle near Court Avenue. As he drove towards police at Magnolia Avenue, an officer opened fire. "There were people who were moving out of the way when they saw the vehicle coming," Orlando Police Chief Eric Smith explained, per ClickOrlando, "People started running to get out of the way."
Despite the officer's action, Francois was not injured by the gunfire. He continued to flee until he crashed into a light pole on Livingston Street. According to ClickOrlando, he then abandoned his vehicle and was apprehended following a foot chase with officers. Before this incident, Francois had been arrested 11 times.
The officer who discharged their weapon did so as Francois's car advanced toward them, and was placed on paid administrative leave, a standard protocol in such situations. WESH confirms that the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, along with the state attorney's office, will review the shooting, while the Orlando Police Department will conduct an internal investigation. Francois has been previously convicted on charges including carjacking and home invasion, as per WESH reporting.
