ORLANDO, Fla. – Orlando police have released the name of the man on Wednesday who was shot by officers in a traffic stop in downtown Orlando.
Police said Antonio Stephens, 28, was shot after he got out of a car that he was a passenger in during a traffic stop on Tuesday night with a firearm. Officers were forced to shoot him when he refused to comply with their orders to put down his firearm down, Orlando police said.
Officers responded to an incident involving a stolen vehicle at around 11 p.m. Tuesday on Jefferson Street, Orlando police said. Police said a woman was driving a car that was reported stolen with Stephens in the vehicle. When they wouldn't abide by the officer's orders and pull over, police had to conduct a tactical maneuver in order to stop the car.
Stephens remains hospitalized and his condition is unknown, police said. No officers were hurt in the incident. He will be charged with possession of a concealed firearm by a convicted felon, possession of cocaine will intent to sell/deliver with weapon and possession of cannabis with intent to seal/deliver with weapon.
"I heard gunshots and at the same time my sister asked me where my little brother is at," said witness Darnell Anderson. "It was a shootout you know, we heard shots, bang bang."
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is now investigating. The officers who fired shots are now on administrative leave during the investigation.