Sumter County, Fla.-(Newsradio 970 WFLA)-A man is dead after a shootout with lawmen on Interstate 75 here. The incident closed the interstate for a number of hours.
The Florida Highway Patrol says it all started with the shooting death of a man in the parking lot of the Quality Inn on Bryant Highway in the Citrus County community of Hernando.
Witnesses told deputies the shooter took off in a black Mercedes SUV. That vehicle was later spotted on Highway 44 as it was approaching the Sumter County Line. The F.H.P., Sumter and Citrus County deputies chased the Mercedes as it started heading south on Interstate 75.
The suspect lost control and the SUV crashed. As law enforcement approached the vehicle, the bad guy opened fire. That fire was returned with deadly results.
The investigation is continuing. The identity of the man shot by law officers has yet to be released.
Photo courtesy Florida Highway Patrol