ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – An Orange County sheriff’s deputy is on paid leave after accidentally shooting the victim of an attempted home invasion this weekend.
The incident happened Saturday afternoon at a home on Sheringham Road just after 3 p.m, off Silver Star Road in the Pine Hills area. The sheriff’s office released details of the incident to News 6 on Monday.
Deputies were sent to the home after a report of four suspects trying to break in. The man living at the home said he had fired his gun at the suspects, who fled the area.
When deputies arrived, the sheriff’s office said the victim was unlocking his door for them when one of the deputies accidentally discharged his firearm.
Neighbors told News 6 they saw deputies surrounding the home and expressed concern over the circumstances.
“It seems like they shoot first and ask questions later,” said Terrie Frazier, who lives nearby. “Kind of makes people not want to call the police if something is going on because you may not know what will happen to you.”
The sheriff’s office confirmed the victim, identified by neighbors as Marcus, was taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and later released Saturday night.
“It’s got me where if something was going on, I’m like should I call the cops or should I not? You know. Because I may wind up getting hurt or shot,” Frazier said.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating the deputy’s actions. The deputy has been placed on paid administrative leave, per agency protocol.
The four suspects involved in the attempted break-in remain at large.