2 Bradenton police officers hospitalized after being hit by suspect's vehicle: BPD

BRADENTON, Fla. - Two Bradenton police officers were injured, including one who remains hospitalized in intensive care with a traumatic brain injury, after being hit by a suspect's vehicle during an early Sunday morning incident that led to a multi-agency pursuit, according to the Bradenton Police Department.

Bradenton police officers hit by suspect's vehicle

The backstory:

Officers responded shortly after 3:20 a.m. to a report of a man with a gun harassing customers at the Wawa near First Street and Sixth Avenue East in Bradenton, BPD said.

When officers arrived, they tried to speak with the suspect and determine what was happening, BPD public information officer Meredith Censullo said.

The suspect, later identified as Dejerrian Murray, 35, got into a vehicle and intentionally backed into the officers at a high rate of speed, knocking them to the ground and causing significant injuries, according to Censullo.

"Officers arrived on scene, attempted to talk to the man, the suspect, find out what was going on. He got into a car and backed in — willingly and at a high rate of speed — into our officers, knocking them down and causing significant issues," Censullo said. 

A senior patrol officer suffered a traumatic brain injury and remains hospitalized in the intensive care unit. A second officer sustained a lower-body injury and has since been released from the hospital, police said.

Two additional officers fired at Murray's vehicle as the incident unfolded, according to police.

Murray then fled, leading officers from the Bradenton Police Department, Manatee County Sheriff's Office and Florida Highway Patrol on a pursuit that went toward the Sunshine Skyway Bridge and back into Bradenton.

The pursuit ended when Murray crashed near First Street and 10th Avenue West, police said.

Murray was also hospitalized with injuries that were not considered life-threatening, according to BPD.

Felony charges filed against driver

Dig deeper:

Murray was released from the hospital before being taken to the Manatee County jail.

He faces the following charges:

• Two counts of aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer with a deadly weapon
• Fleeing or attempting to elude a law enforcement officer at high speed or with wanton disregard
• Hit-and-run involving serious bodily injury
• Hit-and-run involving injury
• Reckless driving causing serious bodily injury
• Violation of probation
• Resisting arrest without violence

Murray has a lengthy record with past charges including reckless driving, tampering with evidence, child neglect, possession of cocaine and more.

Department rallies behind officers

What they're saying:

Censullo said the incident began as what appeared to be a routine call for service involving customers and employees who felt threatened.

"Our mission was simply to de-escalate and make sure everything was OK and that people's tempers were calmed down and everybody goes about their day," Censullo said. "Unfortunately, that's not what occurred here."

Censullo said the department was supporting the injured officers and the two additional officers who fired at the suspect's vehicle.

"We are a small department. We really are a family. We are always going to have each other's backs. Unfortunately, two of our officers are suffering right now and two additional officers are facing the reality of having fired at a suspect, all for at least the onset, seemed like a routine call for service," Censullo said.

State law enforcement investigation

What's next:

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is responding to investigate the incident. The investigation remains active, and additional information is expected to be released as it becomes available.

BradentonCrime and Public Safety