POLK COUNTY, Fla. — A man accused of stealing two cars and stabbing a man in Lakeland was shot by a Polk County deputy six times Tuesday morning, deputies said.
Deputies said Neil Bourcy, 25, of Mulberry, stole a dark-colored Dodge Nitro from a business on Old Tampa Highway in unincorporated Lakeland Monday night. Deputies said he ditched that car and then attempted to steal at least two other cars, stabbing one homeowner who refused to hand over their car keys.
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Deputies said Bourcy then stole an unlocked Lincoln MKX.
Deputies said they caught up with Bourcy by tracking him by air, sending a deputy on the ground to his location.
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The air unit advised Deputy Christopher Warren to “Use caution. He just did something with his waistband. Use caution.”
Deputies said Bourcy told Warren that he had a gun, and shortly afterward he pulled a black object from his pocket and pointed it at Warren.
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Deputies said Warren shot Bourcy six times before immediately beginning lifesaving measures. Bourcy was transported to a local hospital, where he is being treated for his injuries. Warren was uninjured.
Detectives said they located a black cellphone and a box blade-style knife next to Bourcy.
“Once again this shows the dangers that deputies face every day,” Sheriff Grady Judd said in a statement. “By stating he possessed a gun and then pointing an unknown object at my deputy, Bourcy chose this outcome. My deputy did exactly what he had to do at that exact moment in time to protect himself and others from this violent criminal.”
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