Two teens are facing charges after investigators said they stole a car and attempted to run down a deputy. That deputy then fired at them.
- Teens face charges of grand theft
- 17-year-old shot by deputy
- Deputy placed on paid leave
“When you're driving that car, which is about 400 pounds or so, give or take, that's a weapon," said Osceola County Sheriff Russell Gibson. "So that's definitely a threat on a deputy's life."
Deputies charged a 17-year-old boy and his 15-year-old female passenger, both from Lakeland, with grand theft. The 17-year-old also faces charges of attempted murder of a law enforcement officer.
Around 3:30 a.m., Lakeland Police Department called Osceola County Sheriff's deputies to help them stop the teens.
Lakeland tailed the pair at a moderate rate of speed, without sirens or lights flashing -- but with a helicopter -- for miles, from Polk into Osceola County.
It's not clear how or when the car was stolen.
According to the Sheriff's Office, deputies set out stop sticks on State Road 429 by Sinclair Road. When the teens swerved to avoid them, the car spun out in the median.
One deputy got out of his car to approach the teens. As they began driving towards him, the deputy fired.
The 17-year-old was hit -- it's unclear how many times -- and taken to the hospital. He is stable and in custody. Neither the girl nor any law enforcement officers were injured in the shooting.
Investigators shut down SR 429 between Sand Hill Road and U.S. 192 due to the investigation.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating the incident, which is standard procedure following any officer-involved shooting.
The Sheriff's Office placed the deputy on paid administrative leave.