(This story was updated to accurately reflect the most current information.)
An early morning traffic stop led to a shooting that injured both a woman and a Marion County Sheriff’s Office deputy, according to a sheriff’s office media release. The incident happened about 2:30 a.m. June 23 on South Pine Avenue. More details will be provided during the day.
12:45 p.m.: More information about the defendant
Records show the 22-year-old woman was released from prison in July 2024 on multiple charges that included grand theft of a motor vehicle, drug possession such as methamphetamine and cocaine, carrying a concealed firearm, and fleeing and eluding.
Her charges are from Bay County, according to the documents. Locally, she doesn’t have a criminal record.
— Austin L. Miller
12:44 p.m. | What led up to the shooting?
Sheriff’s officials said the deputy stopped a vehicle driven by Rheanna Harden, 22, at Southeast 95th Court and 161st Street in Summerfield. Officials said the stop was due to an improper stop at a stop sign.
At the conclusion of the traffic stop, Harden was taken into custody and charged with driving with a suspended license, providing false identification to a law enforcement official, possession of methamphetamine, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Harden was placed in the back of a sheriff’s vehicle. The sheriff’s office said she was searched and handcuffed behind her back. While being driven to the jail, the sheriff’s office said, Harden managed to get her hands in front, retrieve a gun hidden in her crotch, and fire at the deputy, injuring him.
This happened a few blocks south of the 2900 block of South Pine Avenue (U.S. 441.) Authorities said the gunshot grazed the deputy’s face. The deputy crashed his vehicle into a wooden utility pole in the 2900 block.
He got out of the vehicle and shot at Harden, the sheriff’s office said. She suffered wounds to her shoulder and hip.
No information about the deputy has been released. Officials said he has been with the agency for less than five years. He’s presently on paid administrative leave while the investigation is ongoing, as is standard. He has not been involved in any other officer-involved shootings.
Local defense lawyer Jimmie Sparrow, of Sparrow and Fairchild, is representing the deputy. Sparrow is a former police officer, detective and assistant state attorney.
Sparrow said his client has not been interviewed by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. At this point, Sparrow said, it’s unknown when the deputy will be interviewed. Asked how his client is doing, Sparrow said as well as can be expected, given the circumstances.
— Austin L. Miller
9:45 a.m. | Woman released from hospital; now at sheriff’s office
The woman involved in the shooting has been released from the hospital and is being interviewed at the Marion County Sheriff’s Office.
— Austin L. Miller
9:40 a.m. | Deputy has been treated and released from hospital
The Marion County Sheriff’s Office said the deputy who was shot in the early morning hours of June 23 has been treated at a local hospital and released.
The woman remains hospitalized. Criminal charges are pending.
— Austin L. Miller
9:20 a.m. | Budget Inn guest explains what he heard and saw
Sam Bryan told the Star-Banner he was asleep in his room at the Budget Inn, 2901 S. Pine Ave., when he heard gunshots in fast succession.
He looked outside into the parking lot and saw a few Ocala Police vehicles and other law enforcement vehicles on Pine Avenue. Some of those law officers were holding ballistic shields and giving loud commands ordering someone to get out of a car.
Bryan said the person emerged from the car. He said it was a woman with dark hair wearing a dark shirt. He said the law officers used zip ties to secure her hands, and that the officers handled themselves well.
— Austin L. Miller
8:25 a.m. | Photos from the scene
Austin L. Miller took these photos at the shooting scene the morning of June 23:
7:20 a.m. | Why is the FDLE investigating?
It is standard practice for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to investigate law enforcement-involved shootings. The agency eventually will present its findings to the State Attorney’s Office for review.
The sheriff’s office will conduct its own review of the deputy-involved shooting, as is standard practice.
— Austin L. Miller and Jim Ross
7:16 a.m. | Previous cases
The last time a Marion County Sheriff’s Office deputy was shot and injured was Dec. 10, 2023, outside the Club Time nightclub in Silver Springs Shores. Before that, the most recent case was in May 2011 in Hog Valley, when Deputy Owen Confessore was shot and injured.
— Jim Ross
6:53 a.m. | Swift reaction online
By 6:53 a.m., less than one hour after it published, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office Facebook post about this case had drawn 389 reactions, 83 comments (mostly promising prayers for the deputy) and 72 shares.
— Jim Ross
6:40 a.m. | What we know so far
According to the sheriff’s office, a male deputy made a traffic stop in the the 2900 block of South Pine Avenue. After the traffic stop was concluded, a woman shot the deputy and the deputy fired at least one shot.
Sheriff’s office officials said the deputy suffered non-life threatening injuries and was transported to a local hospital for treatment. The woman also was taken to a local hospital and was listed in stable condition.
Deputies said the deputy is a man; however, it would not immediately reveal his name or any information about him. The woman’s name was not immediately released. Likewise, no information about the traffic stop has been provided.
Florida Department of Law Enforcement agents were on scene and investigating.
— Austin L. Miller
Contact Austin L. Miller at austin.miller@starbanner.com
(This story was updated to provide additional information)
(This story was updated to add a photo and photo gallery)
This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: UPDATE: Sheriff’s office says woman hid gun in crotch, shot deputy inside patrol vehicle
Reporting by Austin L. Miller, Ocala Star-Banner / Ocala Star-Banner
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