MARION COUNTY, Fla. — A Marion County sheriff’s deputy was shot early Monday morning by a woman who allegedly concealed a firearm in the crotch area of her pants while being transported to jail, authorities said.
The incident occurred around 2:30 a.m. in the 2900 block of South Pine Avenue. According to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, the deputy had initially stopped the woman, identified as 22-year-old Rheanna Harden, during a traffic stop on SE 161st Street in Summerfield.
Harden was arrested on several charges, including driving with a suspended license, providing false identification to law enforcement, possession of methamphetamine, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
While en route to the jail, officials say Harden managed to access a hidden handgun and fired a round from the back of the deputy’s vehicle, grazing the deputy’s face. The deputy quickly returned fire.
Both the deputy and Harden were transported to the hospital for treatment and later released, according to Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Valerie Strong.
“All of our deputies and our staff here are very glad and extremely grateful that our deputy is fine,” Strong said.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement has launched an investigation into the shooting, which remains ongoing.
Officials have not disclosed how the weapon was missed during the initial search or how Harden managed to retrieve and fire the gun while in custody.
