ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – Deputies were uninjured in a shootout with a 19-year-old man accused of holding his girlfriend at gunpoint Friday morning in east Orange County, Sheriff John Mina said.
The shooting was reported around 7:30 a.m. on North Econlockhatchee Trail near Colonial Drive and State Road 417.
According to Mina, Bryce Weir forced his girlfriend at gunpoint to drive to a 7-Eleven. Mina said the woman was able to get out of the car and call 911 and Weir ran away.
This is Bryce Weir, the suspect who shot at our deputies this morning after he was holding his girlfriend at gunpoint. Deputies returned fire & later took him into custody. The victim is safe. Below is a tweet from when he was arrested last month after shooting two females. https://t.co/wgCXdeAEkT
— Orange County Sheriff's Office (@OrangeCoSheriff) February 28, 2020
Mina said deputies knew where Weir lived and they located him a short time later. When deputies arrived, Weir pulled out a Glock handgun with a high-capacity magazine and fired at deputies, Mina said.
Deputies returned fire, hitting Weir at least once in his leg, Mina said.
After a short search, deputies found Weir in a backyard and took him into custody, according to Mina, who added that Weir was expected to be OK.
By Friday afternoon, Weir was booked into the Orange County Jail.
Weir faces several charges, including aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer and armed kidnapping.
Update: This is the gun found with the suspect this morning. 19 year old man was holding his girlfriend at gun point- she escaped and when confronted by Deputies he shot at them. No Deputies were hurt. Suspect shot in the leg and apprehended. pic.twitter.com/GRWubYFLAC
— Orange County Sheriff's Office (@OrangeCoSheriff) February 28, 2020
Deputies said Weir was arrested in January for shooting at his girlfriend and was out on bond. The family of the woman allegedly targeted in that incident reached out to News 6, in hopes that others will realize the importance of speaking up and getting help if you find yourself or someone you know trapped in a violent relationship.
During the arrest Friday, a deputy was bitten by a dog and received minor injuries, Mina said.
Officials have not released the names of the deputies involved in the shooting.
Three nearby schools were briefly placed on lockdowns because of the incident, which was not related to any of the schools.
Arbor Ridge K-8, Union Park Middle and Union Park Elementary schools were locked down.
The lockdowns were lifted a short time later.
Deputy involved shooting in Orange County
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