A Flagler County Sheriff's deputy used his patrol vehicle to subdue an armed suspect who pulled a gun during a traffic stop in Palm Coast, Florida, on January 4, just before midnight.
Deputy Christopher Murphy was patrolling the W-Section of Palm Coast when he spotted Michael McDermott, 38, standing on the sidewalk next to a bicycle along Pine Lakes Parkway. When Murphy attempted to make contact, McDermott picked up his bicycle and rode away.
Murphy activated his emergency lights and initiated a traffic stop. During the encounter, McDermott pulled a firearm on the deputy, prompting Murphy to use his patrol vehicle to quickly neutralize the threat and disarm the suspect.
The incident was captured on body camera footage released by the Flagler County Sheriff's Office. The video shows the rapid escalation from a routine contact attempt to a potentially deadly encounter.
The use of the patrol vehicle allowed Deputy Murphy to safely subdue McDermott without the need for other forms of force. The suspect was successfully disarmed and taken into custody following the incident.
McDermott faces charges related to the armed confrontation with law enforcement. The case remains under investigation by the Flagler County Sheriff's Office.
