The deputy sheriffs involved in two separate shooting incidents on Saturday have been identified.
Orange County Sheriff’s deputies opened fire on Brian L. Lawson, 36, of Eatonville who attempted to burglarize a home at 1048 Fairbanks Road then deliberately rammed a squad car, before fleeing the scene.
The deputies involved in the shooting are:
Deputy Sheriff Tom Lass, who was hired in June 2006 and Deputy Mark Watkins, hired in October 2006.
In another deputy involved shooting on Saturday night, on Powers Drive and west Colonial Drive, Deputy Brian Hummel shot at Bruce L. Smith, 21 years, who fled the scene after the officer initiated a traffic stop. Smith, who initially complied by stopping the vehicle, dragged the Deputy Hummel several feet between the door and the door frame and sped away. Deputy Hummel, hired on December 2004, by the Sheriff’s Office, fired one round at Smith, who was caught three miles away at the Publix Shopping Center.
In both cases, Lawson and Smith suffered non-life threatening injuries.
FDLE is investigating both deputies’ involved shooting incidents.
The Orange County Sheriff’s Office Professional Standard Section will also conduct an investigation.
The deputies involved have been reassigned to administrative duties for a minimum of one week.
