Burglary suspect accused of shooting Seminole County deputy identified

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. — A Seminole County deputy was shot by a burglary suspect following a chase through Seminole and Orange counties Thursday afternoon, authorities said.

Channel 9 learned Deputy Brian Mahan was the deputy who was shot. He was released from the hospital Thursday night.

The man accused of shooting him, Christian Joy, 21, was brought to Orlando Regional Medical Center in critical condition.

Authorities were conducting a burglary operation in Altamonte Springs after multiple burglaries over the last several months, when they saw a vehicle that matched the description of a vehicle possibly involved in a recent burglary.

Raw: Skywitness 9 over deputy shooting scene

Photos: Scene of Seminole County deputy shooting

Raw: Witness records chaotic scene where deputy was shot

A deputy attempted to conduct a traffic stop at State Road 436 and Wymore Road, but the driver, Joy, fled, striking another vehicle and then backing into an undercover deputy's cruiser before taking off again, reports said.

Authorities said the deputies broke off the pursuit, but they continued to monitor the suspect's whereabouts from a helicopter.

A spokesman said the driver went through several neighborhoods before getting back on Semoran Boulevard about 15 minutes later.

Joy crashed into another vehicle near the intersection of Aloma Avenue and got out firing at deputies, authorities said, striking Mahan in the ankle. Deputies returned fire and were able to apprehend Joy and a woman, who attempted to flee from the back seat of the vehicle.

“There were just cops coming from every direction,” said witness Shawn Wigsmoen. “A little intense, actually.”

The female suspect, who has not been identified, suffered minor injuries and was taken to the hospital.

“This is another example of when someone decided to bring violence in the community, and police are forced to act,” said Special Agent Danny Banks, of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

Investigators said Joy knew exactly where he was aiming his handgun in the afternoon melee.

“It was an overt attempt to, in my opinion, take a law enforcement officer’s life. I think our deputy sheriffs acted courageously in their handling of this,” said Chief Deputy Dennis Lemma.

Witnesses said at least 12 shots were fired from at least two different weapons.

Mahan has been with the department for three years and was assigned as an investigator in west Altamonte Springs.

Several motorists suffered minor injuries in the crashes but are expected to be OK.

The suspects face multiple charges, including attempted homicide and aggravated battery of a law enforcement officer. The Orange County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the attempted homicide on a law enforcement officer while the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office investigates aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer.

The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the crash sites.

Channel 9 learned Joy has an extensive criminal history, with charges that include fleeing and eluding and battery.

The commotion shut down one of Orange County’s busiest intersections and disrupted traffic for thousands of drivers.

Skywitness 9 showed traffic backed up for miles on Aloma Avenue.

Semoran Boulevard and Aloma Avenue were shut down for most of the night while FDLE invetsigated. The roads were open by 11 p.m., but some lanes stayed closed for scheduled construction.

WFTV