OPD officers exonerated in shooting near shopping plaza

Videos helped investigators rule in officers' favor

ORLANDO, Fla. – Investigators say three Orlando police officers did nothing wrong when they fired their weapons at a suspected carjacking suspect near a shopping plaza.

The incident happened in January 2016, near the intersection of South Street and Bumby Avenue.

Orlando police officers were pursuing an orange Dodge Caliber that was reportedly carjacked from a 66-year-old man at a CVS store on Curry Ford Road.

New helicopter video obtained by News 6 shows the driver taking officers on a chase through residential neighborhoods and city streets.

When the driver turned into the parking lot near Bumby and South, dash camera video shows OPD cruisers trapped her.

Instead of surrendering, the video shows the driver almost hitting two officers, prompting them to open fire, striking the car.

Surveillance video from a nearby pet boarding facility showed a different angle of the incident.

Chopper video showed the driver running out of the car and into a neighborhood, where police found her.

They arrested Danielle Evans, 36, who pleaded guilty to a lesser charge in exchange for a seven-year prison sentence, which will be followed by 10 years of probation.

Last week, the Orlando Police Citizens Review Board exonerated the three officers who fired their weapons.

"It was determined... (they) acted appropriately and accordingly within Orlando police policies and procedures," the report read.
 


About the Author

Erik Sandoval joined the News 6 team as a reporter in May 2013 and became an Investigator in 2020. During his time at News 6, Erik has covered several major stories, including the 2016 Presidential campaign. He was also one of the first reporters live on the air at the Pulse Nightclub shooting.

Recommended Videos