GIFFORD — Authorities have identified both the deputy and the suspect involved in an early morning shoot out during a traffic stop in Gifford Friday.
The deputy and suspect remain in the hospital, being treated for gunshot wounds they sustained during the incident, which happened around 3 a.m. on 45th Street near Old Dixie Highway. The traffic stop was because the moped did not have a tag.
Andrew Coffee Jr. has been identified as the suspect who shot Dep. Chris Lester, according to authorities. The deputy and Coffee are in stable condition.
Dep. Lester has been with the Sheriff’s Office since July 2014.
Coffee is expected to be charged with attempted murder of a law enforcement officer and possession of a firearm by a felon, according to Sheriff Deryl Loar.
Coffee was pulled over on his moped and was reluctant to take his hands out of his pockets, Sheriff Loar said.
During the stop, Coffee struck the deputy and pulled out a revolver and shot him in the leg, according to Sheriff Loar. Gun fire was exchanged, during which Coffee was shot in the abdomen. He then fled on foot.
A perimeter was setup and K-9 tracked Coffee to some orange crates where he was apprehended, according to authorities.
He is now at Lawnwood Medical Center being treated for gunshot wounds to his side and femur.
Coffee was on probation from a charge earlier this month for felony possession of cocaine and possession of drug paraphernalia. He has had 11 felony arrests, four felony convictions, and in 1993 was convicted of attempted first degree murder with a firearm.
