Shots were
fired at a Collier County Sheriff’s Office K-9 deputy during a vehicle pursuit in
eastern Collier County on Friday afternoon.
The deputy
was not injured. No bullets hit his vehicle.
Deputies
were searching for the driver Friday evening.
The pursuit
began shortly before 1 p.m. after the K-9 deputy, who was driving a marked CCSO
sport utility vehicle, attempted to stop a newer model dark blue Buick for
speeding on Interstate 75 near exit 80 and State Road 29.
Instead of stopping,
the driver sped up. Deputies then engaged in a pursuit along I-75 into the Everglades
City area.
During the
pursuit the deputy saw the driver point a firearm out the window. The deputy
believed the driver was shooting at him.
The deputy
did not return fire.
The driver
eluded deputies in the Everglades City area.
The vehicle
was later found abandoned behind a residence on Plantation Parkway.
The vehicle
had multiple dents, possibly from bullets.
An
investigation continues.
Anyone with
information is asked to contact the Collier County Sheriff’s Office at 239-252-9300,
or if you want to remain anonymous and be eligible for a reward, call Crime
Stoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS (8477).+
