Suspect In Deputy-Involved Shooting Identified As Altamonte Springs Man

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Osteen, FL-The Volusia County Sheriff's Office has identified the man holding a gun in the back seat of a car who was fatally shot by a VCSO deputy.  The man is 59-year-old Jeffrey Sims of Altamonte Springs.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating and that's standard in all law enforcement involved shootings.

VCSO spokesman Gary Davidson says it began just before 11 PM in the 1400 blocks of N. S.R. 415 when deputies found what first appeared to be an abandoned vehicle on the side of the road. When they got closer, they discovered Sims in the driver's seat and a handgun in the backseat. Davidson says the gun was within reach of the driver. Deputies ordered Sims to stay still and not reach for the gun. Instead, Davidson says. the suspect took off his shirt and draped it over the window blocking the view into the vehicle. Davidson says moments later the shirt began falling off the window.  The man had gotten into the back seat. He was holding the gun and refused to put it down.

Davidson says, fearing the man was going to shoot, Deputy Miguel Kent fired his gun and hit Sims who was pronounced dead at the scene shortly after 11 PM.

The deputy has been placed on temporary leave with pay. Davidson says that's standard procedure while the FDLE investigates.

Kent is 37-years old and has been with VCSO since October 2003.

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