ORLANDO (AP) — Orange County's sheriff says a deputy feared for his safety when he shot a car theft suspect in Orlando.
But Sheriff Jerry Demings on Monday acknowledged there were conflicting witness statements about whether the suspect had his hands up or was making furtive movements.
Sgt. Robert McCarthy shot Cedric Bartee early Monday while he and other officers were trying to prevent Bartee and a passenger from fleeing in the car.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating the shooting.
Bartee was taken to a hospital for surgery where he was in critical but stable condition.
At a news conference, Demings said he is sensitive to the reaction to recent police shootings in Ferguson, Missouri, and other parts of the country.
He says he aims for transparency in the investigation.