Deputies shoot, kill murder suspect on I-75 in Sumter County

Shooting forces officials to close interstate near Florida Turnpike

SUMTER COUNTY, Fla. – Deputies shot and killed a murder suspect Thursday morning on Interstate 75 in Sumter County, prompting officials to close the highway, sheriff's officials said

I-75 south was closed near the Florida Turnpike and remained shut down for several hours, according to the Sumter County Sheriff's Office. All lanes were reopened by 6:45 p.m.

The Sheriff's Office said it received a call around 9:35 a.m. that a murder suspect from Citrus County was traveling into Sumter County on State Road 44. Officials from the Citrus County Sheriff's Office said that the suspect was wanted in connection to a fatal shooting at a Quality Inn parking lot at 9:14 a.m. Thursday.

Deputies said the driver avoided stop sticks while driving to I-75 from S.R. 44.

Deputies immobilized the vehicle in the center median and observed the suspect, who was known to
be armed, officials said.

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Authorities said the suspect exited the vehicle and shot at deputies, who returned fire and struck the suspect. The suspect was pronounced dead at the scene, sheriff's officials said.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement will investigate the shooting, which is standard procedure in officer-involved shootings.

Two southbound lanes near mile marker 327 re-opened just before 4 p.m., according to the Sheriff's Office.

No other details have been released.

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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.