MARION COUNTY, Fla. – An armed Titusville man was shot and killed by deputies following a car chase that began in Citrus County and ended in Marion County, according to the sheriff’s office.
Deputies said they pursued Skyler Wentworth, 33, into Marion County on Friday evening after they attempted a traffic stop in the area of Hernando on Wentworth for a traffic infraction when Wentworth decided to flee.
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According to a news release, Wentworth, threw a black bag from his vehicle while attempting to elude pursuing deputies.
The bag, which was later collected for evidence, was found to contain pressed pills that tested positive for Fentanyl, according to the release.
While deputies were able to use a tire deflation device to slow the vehicle, Wentworth managed to make his way along Highway 200 into Marion County, the release shows.
Marion County deputies joined in the pursuit, and law enforcement agents were eventually able to stop the SUV, which crashed into a power pole, deputies said.
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According to investigators, Wentworth then got out of the car with a rifle in hand, causing the Citrus County deputies to shoot the suspect. That suspect was then taken to a medical facility for treatment where he later “succumbed to his injuries.”
“Wentworth is no stranger to our deputies; he is registered as a career criminal and has an extensive drug-related criminal history in our county,” said Colonel Elena Vitt. “None of our deputies ever WANT to use lethal force, but they are prepared to if it means saving countless others.”
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating the officer-involved shooting, according to the release.
“The suspect in this incident posed a significant threat to two communities today through his reckless actions. At the end of the day, the deputies on scene had only seconds to decide how to respond to protect every citizen in the area before the suspect decided to further endanger the lives of both law enforcement officers and civilians present,” said Col. Elena Vitt of the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office. “This is yet another example of why having a great working relationship with all of our law enforcement partners is imperative. We joined forces and seamlessly protected those we swore an oath to serve.”
Citrus County deputies said that there is no threat to the public, though they asked that people avoid the area on Friday evening.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is set to investigate the officer-involved shooting along with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office.
No additional information has been provided at this time.
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