Woman shoots Marion County deputy with gun hidden in her pants, officials say | FOX 51 Gainesville
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Woman shoots Marion County deputy with gun hidden in her pants, officials say

By
Updated  June 23, 2025 12:06pm EDT
Marion County
FOX 35 Orlando
Woman used gun hidden in pants to shoot deputy, 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.

The Brief

    • A Marion County deputy was shot by a woman after a traffic stop early Monday, authorities said.
    • The deputy returned fire and sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
    • The suspect was taken to a local hospital. Her condition is unknown at this time.

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 Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating after a female suspect shot a Marion County sheriff's deputy during a traffic stop early Monday, according to authorities. 

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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. 

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