DELTONA, Fla. – A Volusia sheriff’s deputy was grazed by a bullet during a standoff with a gunman in a Deltona neighborhood, where a home was also ablaze, officials said Wednesday morning.
The shooting happened at 3230 Whitehorse Court — east of I-4 and north of Howland Boulevard — which is the home of the suspect, 56-year-old Dempsey Hadley, deputies said.
In a release on Wednesday evening, the sheriff’s office announced that it had received a call around 4:30 a.m. from a Wawa along Howland Boulevard about a customer stealing cigarettes.
Upon arrival, the suspect — identified as Hadley — drove at one deputy before fleeing, though Hadley’s vehicle was slowed after a deputy deployed stop sticks, the release shows.
Detectives said that despite his car being slowed, Hadley was still able to drive it to his home.
The Volusia Sheriff’s Office posted that Hadley barricaded himself inside his vehicle and opened fire, striking a deputy, who suffered a non-life-threatening injury.
According to Chitwood, Hadley told deputies to call President Joe Biden and that Biden would pardon him for everything. Chitwood also explained that Hadley started lighting fires, including in his vehicle and the house.
Deputies said that they were able to safely evacuate Hadley’s son and a dog from the home.
Hours later, deputies said Hadley was removed from the house and was receiving treatment from first responders. According to the sheriff’s office, a SWAT vehicle was used to “dismantle” the second-floor balcony that Hadley had escaped to, which brought him to the ground and away from the burning house.
Hadley was described by officials as a 30-year employee of the city of DeLand. His family said he had been acting erratic for about six months.
Before the announcement about Hadley’s removal, the house caught fire, with Sky 6 video showing firefighters focusing on the garage. Flames were also seen coming through the roof on the opposite side of the home.
Suspect has been removed from the house and is conscious and alert, receiving treatment from Fire/EMS
— Volusia Sheriff (@VolusiaSheriff) December 20, 2023
Deputies are at 3230 Whitehorse Court @CityofDeltonaFL w/ an armed & barricaded subject who shot at a deputy. The deputy is OK w/ non-life-threatening injury. Suspect has been in a lengthy standoff in his vehicle, which continues at this time. Please avoid the area. Updates here.
— Volusia Sheriff (@VolusiaSheriff) December 20, 2023