WATCH: Brevard Deputies, Officers Rescue Female Kidnap Victims After Multi-County Car Chase, Gunman Shot Dead

SHERIFF IVEY: Suspect exited the vehicle while holding a gun to the head of a female victim

WATCH: Two female victims were rescued by Brevard, Osceola and Indian River Deputies after being kidnapped and held hostage by an armed man late Saturday night, according to Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey.

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Two female victims were rescued by Brevard, Osceola and Indian River Deputies after being kidnapped and held hostage by an armed man late Saturday night, according to Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey.

The armed assailant led several law enforcement agencies in pursuit and was ultimately killed in a shoot-out with deputies in a car chase and shootout that spanned Osceola, Indian River and Brevard counties, according to Sheriff Ivey.

Osceola County Sheriff’s Office officials said the incident began Saturday when deputies responded to a report of a shooting at Magnolia Court in Okeechobee.

When deputies arrived, the shooting victim and the suspect were no longer in the area and a “be on the lookout” was issued to surrounding law enforcement agencies.

The Indian River County Sheriff’s Office informed the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office at about 8 p.m. that Deputies were in pursuit of a vehicle that was possibly connected to the kidnapping incident in Osceola County and the suspect fired multiple rounds at Deputies.

“The pursuit continued through the southern part of Brevard County with the suspect firing multiple times at Indian River County Deputies,” said Sheriff Ivey.

The pursuit ended when the vehicle became disabled in a field in the area of Old Dixie Highway and Foley Lane in Grant. The female victim of the kidnapping and shooting was then able to escape from the suspect’s vehicle and was rescued by deputies.

“The male suspect then exited the vehicle while holding a gun to the head of a second female victim and entered a wooded area,” said Sheriff Ivey.

The suspect and female hostage were tracked by Aviation Units from the Brevard, Indian River and Osceola County Sheriff’s Offices until a team of officers were able to intercept them.

“An exchange of gunfire occurred between the suspect and members of the Indian River and Brevard County Sheriff’s Offices and the Sebastian Police Department,” said Sheriff Ivey.

“The suspect was fatally wounded and the hostage was rescued. No law enforcement personnel sustained any injuries during the incident.”

Both female victims were taken to local hospitals where they are being evaluated and treated.

The identities of the suspect, victims, or law enforcement personnel involved in the incident are not being released at this time.

As is customary in officer-involved shootings, the Brevard County Deputies have been placed on paid Administrative Leave pending the outcome of the investigation.

The investigation of this incident is ongoing and being conducted by the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office Homicide Unit.

STAY TUNED TO SPACE COAST DAILY FOR UPDATES

Similar Stories