OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. — The Osceola County sheriff is standing by his deputy’s decision to shoot on a teenager accused of trying to run over the deputy.
The deputy who opened fire on Saturday remains on paid leave while the Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigates.
Sheriff Russ Gibson said there’s helicopter video of the incident but it has not been released.
He said he’s watched the video and it shows a law enforcement officer put in a very difficult situation to defend his life.
“You stand by your deputy. Based on what I’ve seen in the reports and what I’ve read,” he said.
Gibson said Deputy Ramy Yacoub’s decision to pull the trigger is not one any law enforcement officer takes lightly.
Yacoub’s picture was not released because he works undercover.
The shots were fired while deputies were trying to stop a Camaro that had been stolen out of Lakeland. Deputies said Kieran Adams, 17, accelerated toward Yacoub.
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It’s not known how many rounds Yacoub fired.
“There were two wounds, I know that,” Gibson said.
Adams is still in the hospital and under close watch by deputies.
He’s facing charges of grand theft and attempted homicide.
Adams has a juvenile criminal history.
A 15-year-old in the car with him is being identified as Mercedes Rivera Whitford. Her mug shot is not available because she was released to her parents.
Yacoub's return to work is pending a preliminary decision by the FDLE on whether the shooting was justified.