Orange County Sheriff’s deputies fired on a man as he tried to flee the scene of a traffic stop on Powers Drive and west Colonial Drive on Saturday night. The victim appeared to comply with deputies by stopping the stolen vehicle he was driving, but then took off, dragging the officer a few feet while fleeing. The officer opened fire.
According to Orange County Sheriff’s deputies, on Saturday around 8:31 pm, a traffic stop was initiated near the intersection of Powers and west Colonial Drive. Initially, the driver of the vehicle complied and pulled over the vehicle as directed by the officer. Without being requested to do so, an adult female passenger and two young children stepped out of the car.
The deputy was made aware that the vehicle was stolen and order the driver to step out of the car. As the deputy was standing between the open door and the door frame, the driver of the vehicle decide to flee, dragging the officer several feet. The officer, in fear for his life, was able to fire one round.
The deputy suffered minor injuries and was taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center.
The driver of the car took off and was later arrested at the Publix Shopping Center about 3 miles away. The suspect has been identified as Bruce Lee Smith, 21 years. He was taken to ORMC for medical treatment.
Smith was arrested and booked into the Orange County Jail around 1:31 am on Sunday, October 31, 2010. He has been charged with aggravated assault with a motor vehicle on a Law Enforcement Officer and Grand theft of a motor vehicle with a mask. He remains without bond in jail.
At the request of Sheriff Demings, FDLE will be conducting the deputy involved shooting investigation. The Orange County Sheriff’s Office Professional Standard Section will also conduct an investigation. As per policy, the deputies involved will be on administrative reassignment for a minimum of one week.
The names of the deputies involved in the shooting have not been released.
