ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Two Orange County deputies are on administrative duties following the shooting of a wanted man along the Orange Blossom Trail.
Investigators told Channel 9's Daralene Jones deputies in unmarked vehicles had Rafael Harrison under surveillance Sunday night when he emerged from the Suburban Extended Stay where the Florida Turnpike meets the Beachline.
Deputies said they opened fire on Harrison when he used his car as a weapon and stepped on the gas, drove toward them and rammed their vehicles.
Harrison is in stable condition following surgery at Orlando Regional Medical Center.
"They didn't have to shoot him," said witness Kesha Johnson. "They could've shot the tires, injured him or something."
WFTV has learned that Harrison has been arrested 21 times since 2004.
"They said, 'Get out of the car, get your hands up,'" Johnson said. "I'm sitting there, I'm like, wow, never seen this before!"
Deputies were after Harrison because he had an outstanding felony warrant.
According to court records, the warrant was issued in July in connection with a February arrest for drug possession.
Deputies said they got a tip that Harrison was at the Suburban Extended Stay near the Florida Mall. At first, they tried to box him in, but that didn't work.
"The suspect got out, started his car and headed directly toward the deputies, rammed a couple of their vehicles (and the) deputies opened fire," said Jeff Williamson of the Orange County Sheriff's Office.
Surveillance cameras outside of the hotel could help state investigators determine if the shooting was justified.
In 2010, the Sheriff's Office was scrutinized after deputies fired more than 100 shots into a vehicle Torey Breedlove was driving. That shooting prompted the agency to review a policy that allows deputies to shoot into moving vehicles, as long as there is a reasonable belief the driver is an imminent threat or if the vehicle is used as a threat, and there's no avenue of escape.
Officials with the Sheriff's Office said the department continues to review that policy.
WFTV
