ALACHUA, Fla. – The Alachua County Sheriff's Office fired at a man suspected of holding a woman hostage before he shot and killed himself Tuesday night, according to a police report.
Deputies said Timothy Brower, 49, fled from deputies in a car with a women he was holding against her will. The Sheriff's Office said Brower was armed with a rifle.
Recommended Videos
At about 8:30 p.m., Alachua County deputies responded to 14114 N.W. 173rd St. in Alachua in reference to an armed disturbance. The female caller said Brower was armed with a rifle and threatening suicide. The female caller then fled to a vehicle for her safety and locked herself inside.
According to the report, Brower got into the vehicle with the rifle and fled from the home. Communication was lost with the female caller and it was unknown if she was inside the vehicle or inside the home deputies said.
Deputies said they intercepted the vehicle traveling southbound on Interstate 75, and after confirming that the female was inside and believed to have been taken hostage, a pursuit was initiated.
Brower fled to a secondary home at 211 S.E. Wacahoota Road. Deputies observed Brower drag a female passenger out of the vehicle and immediately engaged Brower while giving verbal commands that he refused to comply with as he continued toward the home.
The Sheriff's Office said that due to the immediate threat to the female, unknown occupants inside the home and deputies on scene, deputies fired shots at Brower. Deputies said Brower then turned the rifle on himself and shot himself in the head.
Brower died at the scene. The Medical Examiner will determine the cause of death.
A parallel criminal and administrative investigation will be conducted per Sheriff's Office policy.
The involved deputy has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of both investigations.