Orange County deputy shoots man armed with landscaping tool

Officials say an Orange County deputy was forced to open fire on an Apopka man who was armed landscaping tool Friday night.

Investigators say the incident happened shortly after 10:00 p.m. outside a home on 10th Street in Apopka.

The deputy, who was responding to a call for a combative person, was confronted by a 37-year-old man wielding a 6-foot-long landscaping tool that's used to cut vegetation.

The man refused to drop his weapon and was tased by the deputy, but officials say the taser had no affect on the man. The deputy, fearing for his safety, fired one shot at the suspect.

The suspect was rushed to Orlando Regional Medical Center with a gunshot wound to the torso. His condition is unknown.

Shortly after the shooting, investigators say the deputy was attacked by a relative of the suspect. A struggle ensued between the two, but the man was eventually detained by additional deputies.

Both of the men are expected to be charged in the incident. Deputies have not released the identities of the men.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement was called in to investigate the shooting.

The deputy involved is a corporal and has been with the sheriff's office for 9 years, officials say.