WINTER HAVEN, Fla. — A Winter Haven man is in the hospital after an officer-involved shooting Thursday morning.
On Nov. 10, around 3:50 a.m., Winter Haven Police said police responded to an incident at the Haven of Lake Deer Apartments. Police said a woman had been strangled and pushed into a wall by a suspect, later identified as 43-year-old Jason Pickles.
According to police, Pickles had an outstanding warrant for felony battery prior conviction from a previous event.
When police arrived, Pickles had already left the apartment. Through the early morning hours, officers monitored the apartment and waited for Pickles to return.
According to Winter Haven Police, Pickles refused to step out of his vehicle when asked by the officers and sped off. Police said they found Pickles again in an apartment complex parking lot and Pickles sped toward one of the officers. The officer fired his weapon out of fear for his safety, shooting Pickles.
Police said Pickles continued driving, hitting another vehicle and left the apartment complex parking lot. Officers were able to block Pickles at the parking area of the Wellington Condominiums.
Pickles was taken to a local hospital for treatment of his "non-life-threatening injuries." No officers were injured during the shooting.
After being released from the hospital, Pickles will be charged with two counts of aggravated assault and resisting arrest with violence.
The investigation, per Winter Haven PD, is being turned over to the 10th Judicial Circuit Officer Involved Shooting Team.
