ORANGE COUNTY, Fla.,None — Several Orange County deputies were involved in a fatal shooting outside the Alta Westgate apartments on Hiawassee Road in the Pine Hills area of Orlando (see map) just after 5:00am Tuesday. The Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) took over the investigation and said they believe the officers had good reason to open fire.
Deputies with the auto theft unit of the Orange County Sheriff's Office followed a suspect, believed to be driving a stolen Dodge pickup, into the apartment complex.
AT THE SCENE: Images From Fatal Shooting
Deputies confronted 27-year-old Torey Breedlove while he was inside the pickup and instructed him to exit the vehicle. Investigators say Breedlove refused to obey law enforcement's orders and tried to escape by ramming several sheriffs' patrol units. That is when several deputies opened fire, killing Breedlove.
"They made a lawful command for the suspect to yield; he did not do so. Deputies opened fire and the suspect has been killed," Jeff Williamson of the Orange County Sheriff's Office said.
"Was 100 rounds," Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings said.
"Is that necessary or did you do what you did because you believed this guy was armed?" WFTV reporter Mark Boyle asked.
"Well, I believe the deputies used their training and they fired until they believed there was no longer a threat to them or to others," Demings replied.
Breedlove's sister was horrified when she heard what happened.
"It was very cruel for a human being to be fired upon like an animal," said Tiffanye Breedlove.
Officers say that they are familiar with Breedlove.
"Deputies have known that this individual, and some of his cohorts, were involved in stealing cars, burglarizing vehicles and residences throughout not only Orange, but several surrounding counties," FDLE investigator Danny Banks said.
Several witnesses said they saw bullets hit parked cars and parts of the building during the incident.
"The Orange County Sheriff's Office has gone to those residences in each of those buildings to re-insure that no one was injured," Banks said.
Deputies were at the shooting scene Tuesday afternoon and closed the apartment complex to the public. Only apartment complex residents were being allowed in or out of the area.
WFTV
