Leesburg officer recovering after hitting head on pavement while ducking from gunfire, police say

LEESBURG, Fla. — A Leesburg police officer was injured Tuesday during a shootout with a suspect, according to officials within the department.

Police said the officer, identified as Senior Officer Mark Johnson, 31, slipped and hit his head on the pavement as he was ducking behind a car to avoid gunfire. Officers said he was not shot, but was "bleeding heavily" and taken to the hospital, and is expected to be OK.

Police said the officer was responding to a report that a man, identified as Donaven Owens, 20, of Leesburg, had pointed a gun at another person in the neighborhood near the intersection of Glen Ridge Drive and Miller Street. Police said when Johnson got out of his car, Owens opened fire.

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Police said Owens ran down the street where he was caught and arrested by other officers. They said Owens was not shot or injured.

A neighbor's security camera captured portions of the incident. In the footage, you can see Johnson go down, get back up and then go off-screen.

Lake County CSI personnel responded to the scene to collect evidence.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating the shooting.

Police said they have not determined a motive in the case.

This is a developing story. Stay tuned to Eyewitness News for updates.

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— Myrt Price (@MPriceWFTV) December 3, 2019

Right now we’re headed to the scene of an officer involved shooting in Leesburg. Leesburg Police say an officer was injured during a shootout with a suspect. Fortunately, they say the officer wasn’t shot.
— Myrt Price (@MPriceWFTV) December 3, 2019