A violent shootout that occurred early Friday between a deputy and a man who was recently released from prison was dramatically captured on a patrol car’s dashboard camera in Florida.
The deputy had just pulled over the man, who was riding a scooter without a tag, when the violent altercation took place in an area called Gifford, according to the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputy Chris Lester ask the man, identified as Andrew Coffee, to take his hands out of his pocket during the stop, according to investigators.
The video shows Coffee ignoring Lester’s instructions and then turning to face the deputy.
Coffee can be heard saying, “I don’t want no problem. I don’t want no problem,” just before he punches the deputy in the face.
The punch knocks Lester off his feet and he falls out of range of the camera as Coffee appears to pull a gun from his waistband and run toward the deputy before both men open fire.
Several shots are heard before Coffee, limping noticeably, flees the scene.
Coffee was shot twice, while Lester struck once in the leg, the Sheriff’s Office said.
Lester was hospitalized in good condition.
A police dog later found Coffee hiding in a stack of crates at a nearby fruit packing company. He underwent surgery at a hospital, the Sheriff’s Office said.
Coffee had recently been released from prison after serving 21 years for attempted murder.
Suspect in Gifford shooting incident identified as Andrew Coffee DOB 12/19/1962 pic.twitter.com/fZxfxWTGkw
— IRCSheriff (@IRCSheriff) December 18, 2015
