HSPD seeks man who allegedly struck officer

Police are searching for a High Springs man who allegedly attacked an officer, resisted arrest and fled the scene following a Saturday night incident.

The High Springs Police Department announced the warrant for 34-year-old John Kyle Culp Sunday night.

“We received a call from a citizen about a subject that appeared to be impaired and was soliciting or making comments about drugs,” said High Springs Police Chief Antoine Sheppard in a phone interview.

Two HSPD officers responded to the location off US Highway 27 and, when they approached Culp, he displayed signs of impairment, Sheppard said. When officers tried to stop Culp from going to his car, he struck one of the officers with his car door and took off in his vehicle, Sheppard said.

“The officers got back in their car to pursue, but [Culp] crashed his car a short distance later and took off on foot near the railroad tracks near 248th Street Northwest,” Sheppard said. “Our officers deployed a K-9. Assistance from the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office were summoned and they sent several deputies. They sent their aviation unit. We searched for a pretty good while using our K-9 unit and using the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office K-9 unit.”

The search went south, then west toward the Poe Springs Road area, and then toward the river, Sheppard said.

“We exhausted that search with our K-9 and the aviation unit did not find any evidence of [Culp],” he said. “We did find where he had taken off part of his clothing. So we discontinued that search to find him.”

Culp is a 6-foot, 170-pound white male with brown hair. He was driving a white 2001 Isuzu Rodeo. Culp has a criminal background and officers are familiar with him, Sheppard said, adding that investigators believe he is still in the area and that he currently lives in Columbia County.

HSPD acquired a warrant from the Eighth Judicial Circuit. Charges include aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer (LEO), possession of a controlled substance, possession of a firearm or ammunition by a convicted felon, aggravated fleeing/eluding and resisting arrest with violence.

Sheppard said the HSPD officers initially involved with the call are OK.

“They just have minor abrasions, but they’re back and working,” he said.

HSPD considers Culp dangerous and advised anyone who spots him to not approach him.

Authorities ask anyone with information on Culp’s whereabouts to contact local law enforcement or CrimeStoppers at 352-372-STOP (7867) or online at www.stopcrime.tv.

Editor’s note: This story is ongoing and will be updated as more information becomes available.