SEMINOLE COUNTY, Florida — (Scroll down for video) — On Thursday, investigators were conducting a burglary operation due to recent residential burglaries in the East Altamonte area. Around 2:30 p.m., investigators attempted to stop a suspicious vehicle in the area of State Road 436 and Wymore Road. The vehicle initially failed to yield and travelled several more miles, ramming another motorist’s vehicle and an unmarked Sheriff’s Office vehicle in a continuing attempt to flee.
The vehicle continued to travel recklessly for many more miles through residential areas, eventually travelling south on SR 436 where it crashed into additional motorists, just north of Aloma Avenue. The male suspect exited the vehicle armed with a handgun and shot at responding deputies, wounding SCSO Investigator Brian Mahan. A second investigator returned fire, injuring the male suspect.
The male suspect, identified as Christian Joy, 21, of Altamonte Springs, was transported to Orlando Regional Medical Center. The female passenger fled from the vehicle after the crash and was apprehended by deputies without further incident. She was transported to Winter Park Hospital with minor injuries sustained from the vehicle crash.
Orange County Sheriff’s Office (OSCO) is investigating the attempted homicide on a law enforcement officer. SCSO is investigating aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer (for ramming the vehicle) and fleeing and eluding. During the course of the incident, several other motorists were hit by the fleeing suspects and received minor injuries. Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) is investigating both crash sites. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) is investigating the officer-involved shooting.
Deputy Sheriff Brian Mahan has been a member of the agency for three years and is assigned as an investigator in the West Altamonte Community. He sustained a gunshot wound to his ankle. He was treated at Florida Hospital Altamonte and released. The investigator whose vehicle was rammed during the initial attempted traffic stop near Wymore Road was transported to a local hospital for evaluation.
