Search underway for man accused of shooting at Orange County deputy

No one injured in shooting in Pine Hills

ORLANDO, Fla. – Deputies have identified the suspected gunman in connection with shots fired at an Orange County sheriff's deputy early Monday in Pine Hills.

Orange County deputies said Friday that Tyrese Robert Cooper was a passenger in a white Honda Accord near Silver Star and Pine Hills roads when he fired multiple gunshots at the deputy.

Bullets struck the deputy's unmarked pickup truck and a nearby house, but no one was injured in the shooting on Wyndham Lane.

Leonardo Gourdet Jr., 20, was arrested Monday on charges of accessory after/attempted first-degree murder of a law enforcement officer, burglary of a structure, resisting without violence and fleeing/eluding a law enforcement officer.

Matthew Jerome, 18, and Richie Pierre, 19, were arrested on charges of burglary of a structure and resisting without violence.

According to the Orange County Sheriff's Office, the deputy spotted a suspicious vehicle and began following it. Investigators said shots were then fired from the vehicle at the deputy.

"I heard a bunch of shots. It was like six or seven shots. Then I heard the (deputy) say, 'Shots fired. Shots fired. He's shooting at my truck,'" a woman who lives in the neighborhood said.

Officials said the deputy took cover and called for help as the culprits ran away.

 "The gunman ran off. As he was running, he was shooting at the (deputy)," the woman said.

"These individuals were involved in a very dangerous activity. Firing shots at this vehicle, even though it was unmarked. They had no idea who was inside of it, but they fired multiple rounds," Orange County sheriff's spokesman Jeff Williamson said. "Thank goodness we don't have a deputy who was injured today. By taking cover and doing all the right things, he was able to avoid injury."

As of Monday, a weapon had not been recovered.

Deputies said Cooper, who is being considered armed and dangerous, lives in Polk County, but frequents the Pine Hills area. He is wanted for attempted murder of a law enforcement officer, deputies said.

Anyone with information on Cooper's whereabouts is asked to call Crimeline at 800-423-TIPS. Callers who offer information that leads to an arrest may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000, the Sheriff's Office said.

Watch News 6 and stay with ClickOrlando.com for more on this story.


About the Authors:

Daniel started with WKMG-TV in 2000 and became the digital content manager in 2009. When he's not working on ClickOrlando.com, Daniel likes to head to the beach or find a sporting event nearby.

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