Deputy In Fear For His Life Shoots Drug Suspect In Hollywood
HOLLYWOOD (CBSMiami) – Gunfire shattered the relative calm of a Hollywood neighborhood Wednesday morning when a Broward sheriff's deputy was forced to fire at the driver of a car which was reportedly coming at him.
According to BSO spokesman Jim Leljedal, a suspect was shot by a Broward Sheriff's deputy around 10:00 a.m. near North 23rd Avenue and Douglas Street in Hollywood.
BSO officials told CBS4's Joan Murray that deputies involved in a Regional Drug Task Force investigation in Dania Beach tried to stop a car they thought might be involved in a drug transaction.
According to BSO, the driver tossed a gun out of the window, which was subsequently recovered.
The driver of the Monte Carlo took off and ended up in Hollywood.
As a BSO detective approached the car on foot the driver accelerated in an apparent attempt to run down the detective, according to Leljedal.
"We ordered the occupants of that vehicle out and the suspect drove towards our deputy. Our deputy fired and struck the driver," said Leljedal. "The car is a deadly weapon, the car can kill or maim so the deputy felt threatened with deadly force."
Monica Hutchinson, who lives on the street, said she heard 5 shots.
The wounded driver stopped the car a short distance away and was taken into custody along with his passenger.
The suspect was identified as Fred Slade by a woman who claimed to be his aunt Bessie Slade. He was taken to Memorial Regional Hospital to be treated. His condition is not known.
"He's a good nephew and a good person, other than that I don't know what's going on in his life," said Slade.
Monica Hutchinson said she heard the gunfire and saw what happened next from her front window.
"He pretty much ran after they did five shots and he collapsed on the street; his blood is still there," said Hutchinson.
Neighbors said this type of violence is very unusual.
"This is not something I wake up to every morning, this is not exactly Iraq," said Esther Walker.
The detective has been placed on administrative leave for at least three days. The shooting is under investigation by the BSO Homicide, Internal Affairs and Crime Scene units, per standard procedure in deputy-involved shootings.
