FLORIDA, 5/10/12 -- A suspect was shot and killed and a deputy injured after a late night traffic stop Wednesday. According to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, at about 7:19 p.m. a deputy was conducting traffic enforcement on Interstate 75 in North Fort Myers.

The deputy attempted to conduct traffic stop on a black, Dodge Caravan traveling south. The driver refused to stop and made evasive maneuvers. At one point, the driver swerved the mini-van at the deputy. The pursuit proceeded from I-75 and ended when the vehicle came to a stop at the intersection of Cemetery Road and Stratton Road in the Buckingham area of Lee County.



Five people were in the mini-van when it was pulled over by deputies.

Two of the individuals stayed inside the vehicle and have not been charged.

Three individuals fled from the van. One was taken into custody; he is identified as Gregory Coleman, 24, of Lehigh Acres (pictured above).

A second, the driver, was involved in a struggle with the deputy. During the altercation the deputy and suspect suffered gunshot wounds. The suspect died as a result of those injuries. The deputy was transported to the hospital and is recovering.

The sheriff’s office is still searching for the third individual who fled the pursuit. However, is not deemed a threat to the community, the sheriff’s office said.

An autopsy will be performed and the identity of the driver is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

(UPDATE)

A man thought to be involved in a deputy shooting was at large Wednesday night in Lehigh Acres.

The victim, a Lee County deputy, sustained non-life threatening injuries.

The incident started with a deputy-involved vehicle chase that ended at Cemetery and Stratton road. A struggle ensued and shots were fired, according to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office.

The sheriff’s office had not confirmed what instigated the vehicle chase or the shooting, but the office reportedly received a call related to the incident at 7:19 p.m.

Wednesday night, deputies were searching the woods near Cemetery and Stratton roads for a man last seen in a black T-shirt. A helicopter was circling the scene, shining a search light into dark patches of surrounding forest. K-9 units patrolled the area as well.

It had not been confirmed if the suspect at large is armed, but residents in the area were asked to stay inside and call 911 if they see any suspicious activity.

A section of Cemetery and Stratton roads were blocked off with crime scene tape Wednesday, and residents of the area were turned away when they tried to get through.

No further information on the crime is available. Return for more updates on this developing story.


SOURCE: http://www.news-press.com/article/20120510/CRIME/305100039/Suspect-dies-in-struggle-with-Lee-County-sheriff-s-deputy-in-Lehigh-Acres-deputy-recovering-from-injuries?odyssey=tab
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