Florida police shoot man who drove stolen car at them, authorities say

Officers say shooting happened in 'large, chaotic scene'

LAKELAND, Fla. – Police in Central Florida fatally shot a man who they say drove at them in a crowded parking lot.

Lakeland police Chief Larry Giddens told news outlets the Wednesday morning shooting followed reports of a stolen car. He said officers spotted the stolen vehicle in a parking lot where some 200 people had gathered, making it a "large, chaotic scene."

Giddens said the driver saw officers approaching and "aggressively began to speed through the parking lot, driving at one of our officers."

A few officers fired at Michael Jerome Taylor and the vehicle hit parked cars and a light pole before crashing into another parked car, pushing it through the wall of a bicycle shop.

The officers weren't injured, and are on administrative leave.


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