Man found guilty in 2015 Seminole County deputy-involved shooting, records show

Christian Joy, 22, sentenced to 30 years, court records show

WINTER PARK, Fla. – The man accused of shooting at Seminole County deputies after he led them on a chase through Altamonte in 2015 was found guilty on multiple charges Tuesday and sentenced to 30 years in prison, according to court documents.

The deputy-involved shooting took place on North Semoran Boulevard at Aloma Avenue in September 2015.

Deputies said they were investigating a string of burglaries when they attempted to stop a suspicious vehicle that Christian Joy, 22, was driving. Joy took off in the vehicle for several miles and rammed two vehicles, including an unmarked patrol car.

After Joy rammed a sheriff's vehicle, deputies backed off and only followed by helicopter because he was driving erratically.

Joy, and a woman who was with him, got out of the vehicle and Joy shot Seminole County Deputy Sheriff Brian Mahan in the ankle, the Sheriff's Office said. said. Deputies then returned fire, hitting Joy.

The female suspect, identified as Emmalee French, was taken to Winter Park Hospital with minor injuries. She was charged with resisting officers without violence.

Joy, a convicted felon who had recently been released from prison, was charged with three counts of attempted murder of a law enforcement officer. According to the deputy report, Joy tried to shoot another deputy, but his gun jammed.

Mahan was treated for non-life-threatening injuries and released from Florida Hospital Altamonte, officials said.

Deputies said 43 rounds were fired at Joy, who was estimated to have been hit eight or nine times. Mahan continued to fire at Joy after he was shot, according to the Sheriff's Office.

Mahan didn't take cover as Joy fired at him to keep the public safe, deputies said, adding that there were 54 cars in the northbound lane at the intersection during the shootout.

A search warrant was issued to inspect the vehicle Joy was driving on Oct. 2. That search turned up $25,000 worth of illegal drugs, including meth and heroin.

Joy was found guilty of attempted first-degree murder of a law enforcement officer with a firearm, attempted first-degree premeditated murder while discharging a firearm, aggravated assault on law enforcement with a firearm, trafficking cocaine while inflicting great bodily harm and other drug charges, according to jail records. He was sentenced to 30 years in prison.


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