Update: Newberry man flees deputies, exchanges fire

A Newberry man who fled from Alachua County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO) deputies during a traffic stop attempt was shot Thursday night in Newberry.

According to ACSO Capt. Kaley Behl, ACSO deputies observed what they thought was a drunk driver and tried to pull the man over just south of Newberry in the Half Moon neighborhood.

But the man fled until the deputies initiated a PIT maneuver (pursuit intervention technique) and he fired shots at deputies.

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At least one deputy returned fire and “the pursuit ended right here in Newberry at the intersection of State Road 45 and Newberry Road,” Behl said.

The ACSO is not reporting the status or name of the man who was injured in the exchange and taken away by ambulance.

Multiple agencies responded to the emergency and secured the area, including Florida Highway Patrol, ACSO Special Teams and Alachua County Fire Rescue.

“At least one deputy returned fire and that made it an officer involved shooting,” Behl said. That deputy will be on leave as the Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigates the incident.

The intersection of State Road 45 and Newberry Road remained blocked as of 11:30 p.m. with crime scene taping off the area.

Employees at Newberry Pizza, one block from the scene, said they heard the shots and were hiding behind cars until the scene was secured.

Newberry Pizza employee hides from shooter behind car

Earlier Thursday, ACSO deputies responded to a bomb threat at Newberry High School. 

“Thank you, Alachua County Sheriff Officers!” Newberry Mayor Jordan Marlowe wrote on Facebook Thursday evening during the active shooter situation. “You have had a long day keeping our community safe, and on behalf of all of Newberry, we appreciate you!”

Editor’s note: This story has been updated.

Law enforcement officers at a standoff with an armed suspect

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