WINTER HAVEN, Fla. — A Winter Haven police officer shot a man who they say had attacked a woman and drove his car toward police, the department said in a statement.
Officers say they responded just before 4 a.m. Thursday to an apartment at Haven at Lake Deer on reports of a woman who had been strangled and pushed into a wall by 43-year-old Jason Pickles.
Once on scene, Pickles had already left the apartment.
Police continued to monitor the location through the early morning hours when, eventually, the 43-year-old returned.
Officers reportedly tried to get Pickles to step out of the car, but he refused and sped off. Then once again, they found him in an apartment complex parking lot speeding through the parking area – but this time toward one of the officers, the department explains.
According to police, the officer, in fear for his and the public's safety, shot at the car and hit Pickles. But this didn't stop the man.
The agency says he continued to drive, hitting another car before leaving the apartment complex.
It was only until officers blocked him in at the parking area of the Wellington Condominiums along Lake Howard Drive that he stopped.
After Pickles was secured, officers started treating his injuries until EMS personnel arrived on the scene. He was then taken to Lakeland Regional Health with non-life-threatening injuries.
Pickles is facing two counts of aggravated assault and resisting arrest with violence. According to police, the man already had an outstanding warrant from an incident in October.
The 10th Judicial Circuit Officer-Involved Shooting Team is investigating the shooting with the State Attorney's Office overseeing the investigation. The Winter Haven Police Department will conduct an international administrative investigation, as well.
The officer involved in the shooting was placed on paid administrative leave until the investigation is complete.