Woman shoots Marion County deputy with gun hidden in her pants, officials say
Woman used gun hidden in pants to shoot deputy, officials say
The Marion County Sheriff's Office says 22-year-old Rheanna Harden shot at a deputy from the back seat of his patrol car while he was driving. The gun was allegedly concealed in Harden's pants. FOX 35's Marie Edinger has the latest information.
MARION COUNTY, Fla. - A Marion County sheriff’s deputy is recovering after being shot by a woman following a traffic stop early Monday morning, according to authorities.
What happened?
What we know:
The Marion County Sheriff’s Office said deputies responded to a report of shots fired around 2:30 a.m. along S. Pine Avenue near SE Emmett Avenue in Ocala.
During a traffic stop on SE 161st Street in Summerfield, officials said 22-year-old Rheanna Harden allegedly shot a deputy with a small gun hidden in the crotch area of her pants as she was being prepared for transport to jail.
The deputy returned fire, injuring Harden. Both were taken to the hospital for treatment and have since been released.
(Credit: Marion County Sheriff's Office)
Authorities said Harden was being arrested for driving with a suspended license, providing false identification to law enforcement, possession of methamphetamine, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Court records indicate this was not Harden’s first encounter with the law.
Her criminal history includes previous jail time in Bay County for offenses such as motor vehicle theft, fleeing from law enforcement, and possession of various controlled substances.
FOX 35 News spotted Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) investigators collecting evidence at the roped-off scene near a Budget Inn. Several bullet holes were also visible on the right side of a Marion County Sheriff's patrol vehicle.
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The Source: This story was written based on information shared by the Marion County Sheriff's Office on June 23, 2025. Additional details about her criminal history were revealed in online court records.