LAKE COUNTY, Fla. – A Lake County deputy opened fire at three suspects, hurting two of them, following a chase near Lady Lake Monday, according to the sheriff’s office.
Investigators said deputies were on the lookout for a white vehicle after a stolen credit card was used at Walmart in Leesburg earlier in the day.
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A deputy spotted the vehicle in the Lady Lake area and attempted a traffic stop, but the vehicle drove off, according to a news release.
The sheriff’s office said that at some point during the chase, the deputy stepped out of his vehicle and fired shots at the suspects’ vehicle as it drove toward him hitting two of the suspects.
Deputies said the three suspects abandoned the vehicle at the Country Life Mobile Home Park in Leesburg and ran off, but were ultimately nabbed at a nearby Dunkin’ Donuts.
Deputies say the suspects, identified as Jeffrey Gilbert, Calvin Williams and Pierre D’Haiti, had brought a bag into the Dunkin’ Donuts bathroom with what is believed to be more than 20 grams of marijuana.
Investigators said two of the suspects were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries from the shooting. The sheriff’s office did not identify which suspects were injured.
All three men are facing charges of possession of more than 20 grams of marijuana, and intent to distribute. Gilbert, who deputies identified as the driver of the vehicle, is also facing a charge of aggravated assault on law enforcement with a motor vehicle.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is now investigating the shooting.