Armed motorist airlifted after shooting

A man wanted for armed robbery in Key West who was shot after shooting at law enforcement officers following a pursuit on U.S. 1 was airlifted to a Miami hospital Saturday afternoon.

The case began at 3:16 p.m. when a Deputy spotted a northbound Ford sedan on Stock Island matching a be-on-the-lookout description sent by Key West Police regarding an armed robbery that occurred in Key West.

The Deputy initiated a traffic stop, but the suspect car did not stop.

The Florida Highway Patrol joined the northbound pursuit.

Tire spikes were successfully deployed. The car was ultimately forcibly stopped by a Florida Highway Patrol vehicle near Mile Marker 10 on Big Coppitt Key.

The suspect pointed a handgun and fired at Sheriff’s Office Deputies and Florida Highway Patrol Troopers who returned fire. The suspect was shot, taken into custody and immediately provided first aid.

The suspect was airlifted to Ryder Trauma Center in Miami via Trauma Star.

The suspect’s firearm was located inside the vehicle.

There were no other injuries reported.

“The use of force in this case, like all cases of this nature, will be independently investigated by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and reviewed by the State Attorney,” said Sheriff Rick Ramsay. “That said, with the information I have at this point, this appears to be an appropriate use of force by the officers involved.”

The suspect  later identified himself as Jullian Vaughn Thomas, 24, of Tennessee.

[livemarket market_name="KONK Life LiveMarket" limit=3 category=“” show_signup=0 show_more=0]