News

Actions

Deputies: Man steals car with infant inside during deputy-involved shooting

Posted
and last updated

A Citrus County man has been arrested for running from a traffic stop, stealing a car with a baby inside and taking police on a wild chase.

At 12:42 p.m., Florida High Patrol troopers pulled over a car driven by 23-year-old Dillon Martin of Floral City. He was taken into custody for driving with a suspended license and drug violations.

As Dillion was being arrested, his passenger, 27-year-old Douglas Martin of Floral City, ran away.

A Sumter County Sheriff's deputy spotted Douglas run out of a wooded area and jump into the passenger side of a vehicle. The deputy witnessed Douglas physically assault a female driver and push her from her 2003 Chevy Malibu.

The driver screamed that her baby was inside.

The deputy tried to get the man out of the car, but Douglas accelerated and started dragging the deputy with the car.

While being dragged, the deputy fired at Douglas, striking him twice in the stomach. The deputy was able to free himself from the car.

Douglas sped away with the baby still in the car. Police chased him through Sumter and Marion counties before finally ending in Citrus County at SR 200/East Olive Lane. Douglas lost control of the car and crashed into a ditch.

The baby was not hurt and has been returned to its parents.

Douglas was airlifted to a local trauma center due to injuries from the gunshot.