August 20, 2017- Hernando County deputies are currently on scene of a deputy involved shooting at 915 Cedar Drive, which is in the city limits of Brooksville.
Deputies were called to this residence to assist officers from the City of Brooksville Police Department at approximately 2:15 p.m., regarding a suicidal female who had barricaded herself inside the residence.
Initial information indicated that the female was armed with a shotgun and had access to numerous other weapons inside the residence.
The Hernando County Sheriff’s Office SWAT and Crisis Response Teams both were in the process of responding to the scene to assist the numerous HCSO deputies and BPD officers already on scene.
During the incident, initial reports are that the female exited the residence, raising and pointing the shotgun at several deputies who were on the perimeter of the residence. At this time, preliminary reports indicate that three HCSO deputies discharged their firearms.
The female was injured during the exchange and was subsequently air-lifted to a local trauma center. At this time her condition is unknown.
No deputies were injured during this incident.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement has been notified and they will be taking over the investigation. As per standard protocol, all three deputies will be placed on paid administrative leave.
Update # 1
The female injured in the deputy involved shooting is being treated for non-life threatening injuries.
Update # 2
The names of the individuals involved in the deputy-involved shooting are listed below.
The deputies involved are identified as:
– Deputy Gregory Locke
o Deputy Locke has been employed by the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office since 10-20-2013. He is 25 years old.
– Master Deputy Michael Beckwith
o Deputy Beckwith has been employed by the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office since 07-23-1990. He is 51 years old.
– Sergeant Brandon Ross
o Sergeant Ross has been employed by the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office since 03-07-1994. He is 48 years old.
The female who was shot after pointing a shotgun at law enforcement officers is identified as:
– Lori Lee Brandon W/F DOB/04-09-1968 of Brooksville. Brandon remains hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement was notified and will be investigating the case. As per standard protocol, all deputies have been placed on paid administrative leave.
Update # 3
A warrant was obtained for the arrest of Lori Lee Brandon.
Detectives served the warrant on Brandon early this morning. She was charged with five counts of Aggravated Assault with a Firearm.
Once released from the hospital, Brandon will be transported to the Hernando County Detention Center.