Orange County deputies are investigating after a man was robbed and shots fired following a short chase.
It started around 9:20 p.m. Sunday at a home on the 800 block of Wildview Drive in Apopka.
Deputies said a man and woman met in their own vehicles. The man got into the woman’s car and the two began talking.
They said 33-year-old James "Brandon" Holcomb then robbed an pistol-whipped the man, who is not being identified at this time. He ran away and called 911.
Deputies said the woman drove off with Holcomb, generating a multi-agency investigation.
“All I saw was 30 to 40 cop cars,” said Matthew Farmer, a witness. “Orange County, Lake County, Seminole County were all heading towards this way. I followed them with my buddy in the Prelude just to make sure none of our friends or family were involved or anyone we knew.”
Eyewitnesses saw deputies from Lake, Orange and Seminole counties searching for the woman’s car.
A short police chase ended with the woman crashing near Mt. Plymouth and Haas roads.
When Orange deputies started to approach the vehicle, they said shots were fired at them. No one was injured in the gunfire.
Holcomb was located deceased in a wooded area off Mt. Plymouth Road from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Deputies said the woman has contacted investigators and is cooperating.
They also said the incident is not a carjacking, as the female is an acquaintance of Holcomb and willingly left with him.