Detectives with the Orlando Police Department, along with agents from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, are investigating the shooting of a suspect car thief.
Police said they received a call Tuesday night from the owner of a stolen SUV saying that they spotted the vehicle in question. Officers tracked down the SUV and attempted to pull the diver over, but they were forced to perform a maneuver which pinned the SUV between two other unmarked police vehicles.
A young woman who was driving the SUV stayed inside the vehicle, but a passenger came out carrying a gun, according to police.
"Officers challenged the suspect's actions giving him verbal commands. The male suspect refused to comply with the officers' orders, forcing the officers to discharge their weapons, and shoot the suspect," said Sgt. Lovetta Quinn-Henry with the Orlando Police Department.
The suspect, identified as 28-year-old Antonio Stephens, was taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center. He is still undergoing treatment and his condition is unknown.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) will lead the investigation and the officers involved have been placed on administrative leave, pending the outcome of the investigation.
