AUBURNDALE, Fla. -- The Polk County Sheriff's Office said a deputy-involved shooting Sunday night started with a traffic stop and ended with gunfire.
It started around 7:47 p.m. in unincorporated Auburndale, where investigators said a deputy had 40-year-old Shannon Keith Baxley pulled over for a seatbelt-related traffic stop. In a press conference Monday morning, Polk Sheriff Grady Judd said Baxley had been arguing with deputies about presenting his ID and getting out of the vehicle.
Judd said deputies also said they could smell marijuana coming from the Baxley's vehicle. When one of the deputies attempted to unlock Baxley's vehicle door, Baxley drove off and hit the deputy, Judd said.
Judd said he didn't yet know how the deputy was hit with the car. As of Sunday night, investigators said the deputy was going to be OK.
After the deputy was hit with the vehicle, a pursuit began, Judd said. At one point deputies forced Baxley's car into a ditch off Berkeley Road and he jumped out of the vehicle. Deputies said it appeared like Baxley was reaching for his waist. Judd said deputies asked Baxley to show his hands, but when he didn't, they shot him three times.
Judd said Baxley was treated by deputies until Polk County Fire Rescue could respond and transfer him to a nearby hospital. He said Baxley is expected to recover.
On July 25, the Polk County Sheriff's Office said Baxley was recovering at a local hospital. Detectives said he's facing charges of attempted murder of a law enforcement officer, aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer, aggravated assault, fleeing to elude at reckless and high speeds, resisting arrest, tampering with evidence and charges of possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.
Detectives said he also faces a traffic citation for illegal tint.
Judd said Baxley has a criminal history dating back to 1995 and on Sunday night was out on bond from an incident in May where he was arrested and charged with possession of methamphetamine, marijuana and heroin.
The sheriff said investigators think Baxley was reaching for his waist to dispose of a small bag of marijuana.
Below are Baxley's interactions with law enforcement, as released by the sheriff's office:
- April 3, 2010: Arrested by Lakeland police for battery.
- November 10, 2011: Arrested by Polk County Sheriff's Office for possession of controlled substance without prescription, possession of paraphernalia and keeping a house or vehicle for drug use.
- February 26, 2012: Arrested by Polk County Sheriff's Office for battery, possession of controlled substance without prescription and possession of paraphernalia.
- November 16, 2016: Arrested by Polk County Sheriff's Office for possession of a concealed electric device (Taser) and possession of a weapon by a convicted felon.
- August 24, 2017: Arrested by Polk County Sheriff's Office for possession of meth, possession of marijuana and possession of paraphernalia.
- May 8, 2018: Arrested by Polk County Sheriff's Office for resisting arrest, possession of heroin, possession of paraphernalia and three counts of failure to appear (August 2017 charges).
June 19, 2018: "Baker Acted" by Polk County Sheriff's Office after his ex-girlfriend called to report he was driving around and texting her saying he wanted to kill himself.
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