Deputy kills man accused of shooting at Sabal Trail Pipeline, pointing gun at officer

Man was shooting at pipeline equipment, Marion County deputies said

DUNNELLON, Fla. – The Marion County Sheriff's Office says a deputy shot and killed a Sabal Trail Pipeline protester after a gun he was holding was pointed at the officer.

The Sheriff's Office says it received a call about a man using a high-powered rifle to shoot at the Sabal Pipeline equipment Sunday afternoon. As deputies responded to the scene on Highway 200 in Dunnellon, the man ran into the woods, according to authorities.

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Citrus County Sheriff's Office and Florida Highway Patrol located the man's car, and a chase occurred, deputies said. The man was involved in a crash near Floral City park, deputies said.

Police say at that time, the man pointed the weapon at a Citrus County Sheriff's deputy. Authorities are not releasing the man's identity because next of kin has not been notified.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement will be investigating the shooting. No law enforcement or citizens were injured as a result of this incident.

The Sabal Trail pipeline project is an approximately 515-mile natural gas pipeline between Alabama, Georgia and Florida.


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