Police shoot at woman outside restaurant after officer struck by car

Woman released on $25K bond, another suspect being held on $193K bond

TITUSVILLE, Fla. – Two people were arrested Thursday night after shots were fired in Titusville.

Ariel Smith, 30, of Titusville, was charged with aggravated battery and aggravated assault on an officer and fleeing and eluding an officer.

Richard Arjona, 37, was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, discharging a firearm from a vehicle, resisting officers with violence and shooting into dwelling.

Officers responded before 6 p.m. to a report about shots fired in the 800 block of Sycamore Street.

Neighbor Ruthye Smith was home when police say Arjona fired the seven shots.

"I was in the kitchen cooking, looking out this window," said Smith. "I heard something but I didn't know what it was."

Police said a vehicle matching the description of the suspects' vehicle was seen leaving an apartment complex. Officers identified the vehicle and attempted to conduct a traffic stop.

The vehicle did not stop, but it slowed and a suspect got out and fled, police said. The fleeing suspect was quickly apprehended, police said.

Police said the other suspect continued to drive the vehicle and stopped in the El Leoncito Restaurant parking lot at 4280 South Washington Avenue.

Officers attempted to take Smith into custody, but she struck an officer with her vehicle and fled again, police said. Officers opened fire in response to the threat, and several bullets struck Smith's car, authorities said. No one was injured.

Police said Smith drove from the parking lot and stopped not far from the scene. She was taken into custody without incident.

Both officers who fired shots were placed on paid administrative leave as standard procedure, police said.
Friday, Smith made a $25,000 bond at the Brevard County Jail.

Arjona was issued a $193,000 bond from a judge and remained at the jail.

The 37-year-old told the judge he was being attacked when he started shooting out of a car.

"I was beaten by a huge black man yesterday and I had no choice but to discharge my firearm," said Arjona.
Both suspects are scheduled to appear in court Sept. 1.

 


About the Author:

James joined News 6 in March 2016 as the Brevard County Reporter. His arrival was the realization of a three-year effort to return to the state where his career began. James is from Pittsburgh, PA and graduated from Penn State in 2009 with a degree in Broadcast Journalism.

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