Orange County deputy fires at 4 burglary suspects in van

Officials say men stole electronics from Orlando Target

ORLANDO, Fla. – Deputies have released the name of the deputy who fired a shot at burglary suspects Friday.

According to Orange County sheriff's office, Deputy Shawn McCook went to the Target near the Florida Mall because of a burglary alarm. The deputy noticed a hole in the back of the store, which appeared to be caused by a vehicle crashing into the building.

McCook followed a white van to a nearby apartment complex at about 5 a.m. near  West Sand Lake Road and Voltaire Drive, where four men, later identified as Eliomar Rios-Martin, 20; Revilier Lopez, 26; Joseph Catto-Diaz, 28; and Christian Luis-Resto,20;  exited the vehicle and got into a black four-door sedan, the Sheriff's Office said.

McCook tried to stop the car, but it drove toward him and he fired one shot, according to the Sheriff's Office. Deputies initially told Local 6 that a man inside the van was hit by the bullet but later said the man and the van were not struck.

"That is the extreme for a law enforcement officer to fire your weapon. It is done in the defense of your life," Orange County sheriff's Deputy Jeff Williamson said.

The assailants drove off but were spotted nearby, said deputies, adding that three of the men were arrested. The other man ran away but was caught and bitten in the buttocks by a K-9, deputies said. He was taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center with minor injuries.

The van was found loaded with electronic items, deputies said.

McCook, who has been with the Orange County sheriff's office since August 2011, was struck by the vehicle, but was seriously not hurt, deputies said. He will be placed on administrative leave, which is standard procedure in shootings.

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