Two Bradenton officers struck by suspect's vehicle, one in intensive care
A suspect intentionally reversed his car into two Bradenton police officers early Sunday, leaving one with a traumatic brain injury. Dejerrian Murray, 35, faces multiple charges after a multi-agency pursuit.
Bradenton suspect rams two officers with vehicle, triggering multi-agency chase
Two Bradenton Police Department officers were struck by a suspect's vehicle in the early hours of Sunday morning, with one officer remaining in intensive care with a traumatic brain injury, fox13news.com reports.
Officers were dispatched shortly after 3:20 a.m. to a Wawa convenience store near First Street and Sixth Avenue East in Bradenton, Florida, following a report of a man with a gun harassing customers and staff.
When officers arrived and attempted to speak with the suspect, the man got into a vehicle and reversed into them at high speed. "He got into a car and backed in — willingly and at a high rate of speed — into our officers, knocking them down and causing significant issues," BPD public information officer Meredith Censullo said.
A senior patrol officer sustained a traumatic brain injury and remains hospitalised in the intensive care unit. A second officer suffered a lower-body injury and has since been discharged. Two additional officers discharged their firearms at the suspect's vehicle as the confrontation unfolded.
The suspect, identified as Dejerrian Murray, 35, fled the scene, prompting a pursuit involving the Bradenton Police Department, the Manatee County Sheriff's Office and the Florida Highway Patrol. The chase extended toward the Sunshine Skyway Bridge before looping back into Bradenton, ending when Murray crashed near First Street and 10th Avenue West.
Murray was taken to hospital with injuries described as not life-threatening. He was subsequently released and transferred to Manatee County jail. He faces multiple charges and carries a prior record that includes reckless driving, tampering with evidence, child neglect and cocaine possession.
Censullo described the original call as appearing routine. "Our mission was simply to de-escalate and make sure everything was OK and that people's tempers were calmed down and everybody goes about their day," she said. "Unfortunately, that's not what occurred here."
Censullo also addressed the broader impact on the department, noting the strain on both the injured officers and the two who opened fire. "We are a small department. We really are a family. We are always going to have each other's backs. Unfortunately, two of our officers are suffering right now and two additional officers are facing the reality of having fired at a suspect, all for at least the onset, seemed like a routine call for service," she said.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating the incident. The inquiry remains active, and further details are expected to be released as the investigation progresses.
Source: Google News MT — Crime (en)