SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – As Seminole County deputies opened fire on a man wanted in connection with a recent murder, nearby residents were left in fear, wondering what exactly had happened.
Six 911 calls released Friday illustrate the panic and confusion on Wednesday when deputies tried to confront Brandon McLean outside a laundromat near U.S. Highway 17-92 and 22nd Street.
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According to authorities, McLean was driving a 2021 Volkswagen Jetta that had recently been leased to Amy Desiree Layne Humphries. Her body was found dumped on a trail in Volusia County on Tuesday, records show.
Seminole County Sheriff Dennis Lemma said investigators got word that McLean was in the Sanford area on Wednesday and tried to confront him outside the laundromat, but he ran.
Authorities said McLean ran around the corner of the laundromat as deputies were chasing him and pulled out a gun and pointed it at them. It’s unclear if he fired.
“We know at least our deputies, at least two of our deputies, fired multiple shots at the time, we think anywhere from six to 10 shots that are on the ground,” Lemma said.
McLean wasn’t struck that time and continued to run toward a residential area, firing at deputies as the chase continued, records show.
“At least two eyewitnesses at one time said that (McLean) was firing at the deputies that were standing without cover, quite literally in the middle of the street. The deputies then again returned fire at that location, striking the suspect at least five times,” Lemma said.
McLean attended a virtual court hearing Friday afternoon from his hospital bed. A judge ordered that he be held without bond.
In the 911 calls, several residents reported hearing gunfire but said they weren’t sure which direction it came from.
“One, two, one, two, three, four -- probably six (gunshots). I shoot at a range so I know the sound,” one man said.
He claimed there have been multiple problems in the area lately.
While that man didn’t witness much, a woman said she did see something.
“It sound like I heard, I’m quite sure it was gunfire,” she said.
She claimed she saw the suspect.
“I saw a man running. I heard a lot of shooting. I saw a white guy run from there. It looked like he had a gun in his hand,” she said.
Another woman who was at the laundromat was too distraught to provide a statement. She can be heard sobbing and pleading during the three-minute call.
“Oh Lord help me,” she said, a minute later adding, “I ain’t never seen nothing like that in my life.”