The search continues for a second suspect in a home burglary Thursday afternoon after the other suspect was shot an killed by an Orange County deputy. 

  • Initial 911 call came in as residential burglary in progress
  • Orange County deputy fatally shoots female suspect
  • Active search for 2nd suspect near Pine Hills

The Orange County Sheriff's Office received a call at about 2:38 p.m. for a residential burglary in progress at a home at 616 Delhi St.

The homeowner received an alarm notification and was able to see two people burglarizing the home, Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings said during a news conference.

Deputies arrived to the scene at about 2:42 p.m. and were told two suspects fled from the residence and ran west.

According to Demings, another homeowner in the area, later identified as 61-year-old Thomas D. Miller, confronted a person thought to be armed. Miller was injured.

A deputy, acting Sgt. Vernon Brown, shot and killed 26-year-old Deresha Armstrong. Demings said she was armed with a handgun.

The Sheriff's Office said Brown is a member of the K-9 unit and has been with the Sheriff's Office for 21 years.

"These are perilous times that we are living in, and we do have to change something as it relates to the proliferation of guns that we have in our society,” Demings said.

An active search is ongoing for the second suspect, Demings said.


(Christina Jensen, Staff)