ECSO: Deputy forced to fire weapon

PENSACOLA, Fla. (WALA) - Escambia County deputies said an officer involved shooting occurred at the Hidden Village Town Homes on East Olive Road Wednesday night.

Authorities said around 7:30 p.m. a deputy was attempting to serve warrants on a suspect, identified as 27-year-old Justin Coon, who had outstanding felony warrants.

Officials said while attempting to apprehend the suspect, Deputy Daniel Moore, a 6 year veteran of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, was forced to fire his weapon.

"During this incident, (Coon's) actions caused it to be much worse than it was originally going to be," said ECSO spokesman Matt Baxter.

Deputies said Coon was transported to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

"In an incident like this, a deputy could have been injured, or one or more or other citizens in the area. So (force is) always the last resort. We try to avoid it at all costs," Baxter said.

Moore was not injured in the incident.  Officials said he was put on paid administrative leave, which is standard procedure.

One resident who saw the flashing lights from outside her window spoke to FOX10 News.  She calls the incident complicated since it involved a deputy.

"That's always bothered me, because it's really hard to tell whether it's justified or not justified. But you leave it up to the legal system to make those decisions, and hopefully it's the right one," said the resident.

But she isn't staying in Pensacola to find out if things get worse.

"We would've left after last night because it's just too much, too much. I like no action, a nice quiet area where I can live peacefully and try to do what I need to in life just to survive," the resident added.

This case has been handed over to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for further investigation.

Coon is being held in the Escambia County jail under no bond.  Currently, he faces only the prior charges, but now deputies say more will follow.