The Orlando Police Department is investigating an armed carjacking that turned into a car chase Friday afternoon around downtown Orlando and ended with shots fired.
The shootout happened near the corner of Bumby Avenue and South Street where roads were closed off for most of the afternoon.
Fortunately, no bystanders were injured in the shootout.
Outside if the police tape a mother and son shared a hug that most teenage boys don’t expect after leaving work. Patrick Lang, 19, was just feet away from where officers opened fire on carjacking suspects, right outside the Juice Bar.
He said he heard tires screech through the parking lot, so he went next door to the barber shop to investigate.
“The car was turning around to leave the parking lot, and the officers had already blocked off the parking lot, so yeah, I think the intention of the driver was probably to leave at all costs," Lang said.
That’s when officers drew their weapons.
“We all hit the ground as we heard the shots fired," Lang said. “Ten to 15 shots were fired at the suspect through the windshield.”
A bullet struck the arm of the female suspect driving the stolen car. The two male suspects with her were not injured.
Fortunately, none of the employees or customers close by were struck.
“They immediately dropped to the ground and called me wondering what they should do," Susan Buttery, owner of the Juice Bar said. "I said 'lock the door, get down til the cops come knocking on the door.'”
When the suspects were taken away, it wasn’t business as usual for the Juice Bar employees, who then spent their Friday afternoon answering questions from police.
“I just expected to make some juice," Lang chuckled.
All three carjacking suspects are in custody. It is unclear if any of them were armed. Police said they implied they had a weapon when they stole the car from an elderly man.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement will investigate the officer involved shooting as part of their standard procedure.