The Orange County Sheriff’s Office has identified a pipe-wielding man who was shot by several Orange County Sheriff’s Office deputies last week after he allegedly charged at them following an attempted carjacking at an Orlando gas station.
The suspect in this case is 33-year-old Apopka resident Stuart Anthony Hyatt, according to OCSO.
During an afternoon press conference held on Tuesday, July 16, Orange County Sheriff John Mina stated that deputies responded to the Chevron gas station located at 901 W Michigan Street in reference to a traffic crash and physical disturbance that had occurred shortly before noon.
The suspect, Hyatt, was allegedly “behaving erratically” after his vehicle crashed into another vehicle. According to Sheriff Mina, Hyatt punched a victim in the face after the crash and then attempted to carjack a truck at the gas station.
The truck proceeded to crash into a gas pump while the driver was trying to get away from Hyatt.
When deputies arrived on scene, Sheriff Mina stated that Hyatt was holding a metal pipe. Hyatt then allegedly approached the deputies and refused to comply with their instructions.
The sheriff stated that Hyatt then ran at the deputies, and one of the deputies used a Taser, which seemed to be ineffective. Hyatt then allegedly turned around and ran at the deputies while still holding the metal pipe in an “attacking posture.”
Two of the deputies responded by shooting Hyatt. After deputies and paramedics provided first aid, Hyatt was transported to a local hospital, where he underwent surgery.
No further updates were provided regarding Hyatt’s condition.
Sheriff Mina stated that no deputies were hurt during the incident, and the victim who was allegedly punched by Hyatt sustained minor injuries.
According to Sheriff Mina, there is body camera footage of the incident, and Hyatt appeared to be acting erratically prior to the deputy-involved shooting. The sheriff also stated that investigators are in the process of working out the details of the crash that preceded the shooting incident, though the sheriff confirmed that it appears two or three vehicles were involved.
During the press conference on July 16, Sheriff Mina stated that there appeared to be “something going on with [Hyatt],” and the sheriff was unsure if Hyatt was “in crisis” or “on drugs.”
“It looked to be, from what I saw, that [Hyatt] was in some type of crisis or on drugs,” added Sheriff Mina. “But, you know, you come at a deputy with a metal rod and they’re going to protect themselves.”
Orange County Jail records show that Hyatt was booked on July 16. He is facing the following charges: attempted carjacking, aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, battery, and criminal mischief under $200.
As of 4:30 p.m. on July 23, Hyatt’s booking photo is not available.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is conducting an investigation into the deputy-involved shooting, and their findings will be turned over to the State Attorney’s Office for review. Once that process has been completed, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office will conduct its own internal investigation.
The deputies who fired their weapons at the suspect are on temporary, paid administrative leave pending the initial FDLE review, according to OCSO.
Earlier this month, an Orange County Sheriff’s Office deputy fatally shot an armed man who entered a 7-Eleven convenience store in Orlando.