Deputy Shoots Suspect After Being Struck by Vehicle in Florida Crime Spree

A Palm Beach County deputy fatally shot a suspect who had killed two people and wounded another before ramming the officer with his SUV. The incident occurred Wednesday night in Pahokee, Florida, after 44-year-old Charles McCloud Jr. went on what authorities called a violent crime spree.

A Palm Beach County sheriff’s deputy fatally shot a suspect who had just completed a deadly rampage through a South Florida community, authorities announced Thursday.

The violent incident unfolded Wednesday evening in Pahokee, a community of approximately 5,500 residents in South Florida.

According to Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw, deputies initially responded to reports of a double homicide, discovering two victims who had been shot to death. Soon after, law enforcement received additional calls about gunfire at a residence and a convenience store in the area, where another person sustained injuries, Bradshaw explained during a press briefing.

While an officer was securing the second crime scene with tape, the gunman approached in an SUV and deliberately rammed into the deputy, dragging the officer approximately 40 feet, according to the sheriff’s department.

The suspect then exited his vehicle and attempted to shoot the injured officer, but the deputy managed to return fire and kill the attacker, officials reported. A fellow deputy also discharged his weapon during the confrontation.

Law enforcement has named the deceased suspect as Charles McCloud Jr., age 44. Bradshaw stated that investigators are working to establish what motivated the attacks and whether McCloud had any connection to his victims.

Attempts to reach McCloud’s potential family members for comment were unsuccessful Thursday.

“This guy went on one hell of a crime spree tonight, shooting people, killing them, and then obviously trying to kill our deputy,” Bradshaw stated. “The deputy is very, very fortunate that the initial strike with the vehicle didn’t kill him. But he showed a great deal of courage, a great deal of stamina to be able to get his gun out and neutralize this guy before he could shoot him on the ground.”

The injured deputy was transported to a medical facility with severe injuries, the sheriff’s department confirmed. The individual wounded at the store is anticipated to recover, though officials have not provided additional details about his medical status.

The deputy involved in the shooting has been assigned to administrative duty pending investigation, according to standard protocol. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Palm Beach County State Attorney’s Office, and the sheriff’s department’s Violent Crimes Division are all conducting investigations into the incident.