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Officials: Deputies forced to shoot armed, suicidal Leesburg man

LEESBURG, Fla. — An armed man threatening to commit suicide was shot by Lake County deputies at a Leesburg home on Ocklawaha Drive early Tuesday morning, investigators said.

"Just before one o'clock this morning, our office received a 911 call about an individual who was making suicidal threats," said Sgt. James Vachon of the Lake County Sheriff's Office.

Officials said deputies tried to communicate with Lynn Owen Burnett, 60, when they arrived at the home.

"Our deputies arrived and tried to talk to him and reassure him that we were here to help," Vachon said. "[But] he ended up leveling a fire arm at them and they were forced to discharge their side arms."

Burnett pointed his firearm at the deputies who were then forced to shoot, according to officials. The man was rushed to Ocala Regional Hospital in unknown condition.

"He was awake and alert when he was taken away to the hospital," said Vachon.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating the incident.

Authorities said the deputies involved will be placed on paid leave, pending the investigation, which is standard procedure.

None of the deputies were injured.