Sheriff: Volusia deputies investigating after shots fired at deputy in Lake Helen

LAKE HELEN, Fla. — A Volusia County deputy returned fire after being shot at while investigating complaints about mudders in Lake Helen, Sheriff Mike Chitwood said.

Deputies are searching for multiple shooting suspects whom they believe shot at the deputy, who was not hit or injured.

The deputy, who has not been identified, entered into the area of Kicklighter Road near Sand Crane Lane in Lake Helen on foot to investigate complaints about mudders trespassing, the sheriff’s office said.

“We get complaints out of here routinely,” said Chitwood.

The deputy was speaking with witnesses around 6:45 p.m. when shots were fired at him.

The deputy returned fire but it’s unclear if any of the suspects were hit.

No one has turned up at local hospitals with gunshot wounds since the exchange of gunfire.

For a large portion of the evening, deputies were stopping cars entering the area along Kicklighter Road as sheriff’s K-9 units searched the area.

Helicopters at the scene assisted the search.

Chitwood said Sunday’s incident will prompt changes to how these complaints are handled.

“Nobody’s going to do that again without a partner or air cover when they go back in,” he said. “That’s one of the first things I’m going to do for officer safety.”

No further details were released.

Cox Media Group