Lake County Sheriff’s Office deputies shot and injured a man on July 8 while responding to a report of a domestic battery in progress, according to an agency news release. The sheriff’s office said the deputies fired their weapons when the man aimed a rifle at them.
The domestic battery call sent deputies to 31801 Division St. in the DeLand area about 8 p.m. on July 8, according to the release. A woman reported that her husband, Harold Malcom Hughes, 62, was intoxicated and threw a hot coffee pot at her.
The victim was able to separate herself from her husband and leave the premises. Lake County deputies made contact with the victim down the road from the incident location.
After speaking with the victim, deputies attempted to talk to Hughes where the incident took place. At that time, according to the news release, the deputies saw Hughes exit the residence while holding a rifle. They gave verbal commands to Hughes to put the weapon down.
“Hughes ignored the deputies’ repeated verbal commands when he leveled the rifle at them,” the release says.
Two deputies discharged their firearms, striking Hughes. Emergency Medical Services was called while deputies rendered first aid. Hughes was taken to HCA Lake Monroe hospital, where he remained as of the morning of July 9.
As is standard, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement will investigate the shooting and the deputies have been placed on paid administrative leave.
This is a developing story.
This article originally appeared on Daily Commercial: Lake deputies shoot armed man while responding to domestic violence call
Reporting by Julie Garisto, Leesburg Daily Commercial / Daily Commercial
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
