Cuffed Woman in Cruiser Pulls Hidden Gun from Pants, Shoots at Fla. Deputy
“While traveling northbound northbound on S. Highway 441 near the 2900 block, Harden — still handcuffed in the backseat — retrieved a firearm concealed in her pants and opened fire towards (the deputy’s) head. The patrol vehicle crashed into a utility pole, at which point he exited the vehicle, returned fire, and took cover.”
Details of Harden’s surrender were not released and investigators did not say if she was struck by the returned gunfire.
She and the deputy were taken to hospitals. The deputy suffered a bullet “graze wound near his right eye,” while Harden had shoulder and hip injuries, officials said.
The sheriff’s office reports Harden is charged with:
- Attempted second-degree murder of a law enforcement officer
- Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon
- Possession of methamphetamine
- Possession of marijuana
- Possession of drug paraphernalia
- Providing false identification to law enforcement
- Driving while license suspended
Ocala is about an 80-mile drive northwest from Orlando.
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