An Orange County Sheriff’s deputy was stabbed several times while investigating a grand theft at a 7-Eleven store on south Apopka Vineland Road on Friday morning.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, Deputy Steve Cook, a 26-year veteran responded to the 7-Eleven store at 12298 south Apopka Vineland Road around 10:36 am on Friday, to investigate an alleged grand theft by a store employee. During the investigation, the suspect stabbed the deputy several times in the neck with a sharp instrument. Deputy Cook responded by firing several times, killing the suspect on the spot.
Meanwhile, Deputy Cook was transported to the Orlando Regional Medical Center with serious injuries where he had to undergo surgery. He is expected to survive his injuries.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating the incident. The Orange County Sheriff’s Office Shooting Team also responded to the scene to conduct a concurrent investigation.
The name of the suspect has not been released. He was reported to be a 25-year-old employee of the 711 store where the incident occurred.
