An exchange of gunfire erupted last night at an Orange County apartment complex as deputies attempted to serve a DNA search warrant on a murder suspect, leading to a 20-year-old man being shot by law enforcement. This incident occurred at approximately 9:40 p.m. on the 2200 block of Buchanan Bay Circle, with deputies already on site conducting surveillance related to a homicide case from earlier in the week, as reported by WESH.
According to the Orange County Sheriff's Office, when deputies were preparing to execute the warrant, two men exited the targeted residence. The younger man opened fire, hitting an unmarked vehicle. Following the altercation, the individual, who is in his 20s, was shot by a deputy. The original homicide suspect, meanwhile, attempted to retreat into the home but was detained and questioned by detectives. It was later confirmed that he, too, was armed with a handgun at the time of his arrest.
"They were able to approach him, secure his firearm, and render first aid until paramedics arrived. He is at the hospital right now undergoing surgery," Orange County Sheriff John Mina said in a video statement released by the department, as detailed by ClickOrlando. The injured man, who sustained wounds as a result of the return fire, is expected to face charges related to the shooting incident.
Following the shooting, standard protocol was initiated; the deputy who discharged their weapon was placed on paid administrative leave pending an initial FDLE review. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement will conduct this review before turning its findings over to the state attorney's office, then to the sheriff's office for an internal review. Sheriff Mina also confirmed that body-worn camera video of the incident would be released within 30 days, the department's attempt to maintain transparency.
