DELAND, Fla. — A man wanted on an attempted murder warrant was in critical condition Monday night after a deputy and police officer fired at him during a chase.

  • Sheriff: Dillon Parker exchanged gunfire with deputy, police officer
  • Parker wanted on active warrant for Nov. 9 attempted murder case
  • No law enforcement officers injured in shooting, Chitwood said

Dillon Parker was wanted on an active warrant for attempted murder from Nov. 9, Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood said.

Chitwood said at about 3:30 p.m., Lake County authorities reached out to Volusia authorities about Parker, who they said was headed to DeLeon Springs in a gold-colored car.

A Volusia deputy first spotted the vehicle, which was going in the opposite direction. Chitwood said Parker tried to drive head-on toward the deputy, who opened fire.

Stop sticks were put out, and Parker's vehicle was slowed and went into a ditch.

A DeLand officer then engaged Parker, who exchanged gunfire with authorities. Chitwood estimated one of his deputies was fired at three or four times, but none of the law enforcement officers were injured.

"All of the officers are going home tonight," Chitwood said.

Parker was struck in the gunfire and taken to Halifax Hospital in critical condition with shots in the chest and leg. The sheriff's office says he is expected to survive.

Parker has a long criminal history, according to court and jail records.

"This guy was not going to go peacefully into that good night... Hopefully he's looking at a long jail stay for the shooting," Chitwood said.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating, which is standard procedure when an officer opens fire.