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Gunman killed in shootout with deputies on I-75 in Sumter County, officials say

SUMTER COUNTY, Fla. — A deadly deputy-involved shooting left busy I-75 in Sumter County shutdown for hours Thursday.

Two southbound lanes reopened Thursday evening, but what happened is still under investigation.

Deputies said one man killed another man at a Citrus County hotel and then drove to I-75 in Sumter County where a shootout with deputies rang out.

Capt. Tony Prevatt was there when the murder suspect started shooting at deputies.

The deputies returned fire and the suspect was shot and killed.

"I was there, 20 feet from the vehicle and I was also one that had my gun pointed at the vehicle, it was frightening," Prevatt said.

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Officials said the episode started about 9:30 Thursday when Sumter deputies got a call from the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office warning them about a suspect believed to be armed and dangerous.

Officials told Sumter deputies the suspect had just gunned down another man at a motel.

Citrus County deputies said after the first shooting the suspect fled and led deputies on a chase with speeds reaching up to 90 mph.

Witnesses said they saw a person drive away in a black Mercedes-Benz SUV, which was later spotted by a Citrus County Sheriff’s Office patrol unit.

Deputies said they tried to use stop sticks but the suspect was able to avoid them.

Eventually he made it onto the interstate and that's when deputies forced him off the road.

Officials said the suspect opened fire and was killed when deputies fired back.

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

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