BRADENTON, Fla. — A fugitive wanted by the FBI was shot and taken in custody Thursday evening by Manatee County deputies.
- Subject was driving a vehicle identified in FBI alert regarding man trafficking narcotics
- No deputies injured
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According to Sheriff Rick Wells, the wanted suspect had fired shots at deputies in a Bradenton business park just before 5:30 p.m. in the 1800 block of 47th Terrace East.
No deputies were injured.
Wells explained that the suspect, who has not been identified, went to the location and was acting strangely, according to witnesses who reported him as a suspicious person.
Deputies responding to the call noticed a vehicle nearby that matched the description of one in an alert issued by the FBI to be on the lookout for a man wanted for armed trafficking of narcotics.
When the deputies tried to take the suspect into custody, he drew a weapon and fired at the deputies at close range, according to Wells. They fired back, wounding him.
"(A) very scary situation as you can image," Wells said. "I feel very blessed that my deputies are able to go home. This was a very close range, dangerous encounter with a man with a gun. A man who should not have a gun."
The suspect was taken to the hospital in serious condition but it appears he will survive.
Meanwhile, one of the deputies reported the bullets were so close, she could hear them whizzing past her face as the shooting unfolded.
Wells added that deputies found two guns on the suspect.
An investigation is ongoing.