ATF Officer Involved In Cocoa Shooting

Posted: 12:17 pm EDT May 21, 2010Updated: 6:48 pm EDT May 21, 2010

COCOA, Fla. -- An undercover operation erupted into a shooting and chase in Cocoa. Federal Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms agents were working with deputies and police at Dixon Boulevard and Clearlake Road (see map) when a gunfight broke out outside Winn-Dixie.

One suspect was hit and two were eventually arrested. he suspects and police both opened fire in the middle of the parking lot. Then a chase ensued down Dixon Boulevard, just a few blocks, where it ended with a crash and foot pursuit.

It was a heart-pounding moment for shopper Alicia Thomas.

"We thought it was backfire, then all you heard was bullets, ‘Pow, pow, pow!" she described.

Thomas was about to step into the parking lot with her two daughters when a gun-battle erupted right in front of them.

"We just whipped around, headed home. People were in the parking lot diving, it was unreal," Thomas said.

Federal agents with ATF, Brevard County deputies and Cocoa police were doing an undercover sting trying to bust suspects in a drug and gun dealing operation. However, something went wrong.

"The two individuals involved that were about to be arrested brandished fire arms and started shooting at the officers," said Wayne Ivey, FDLE.

The officers fired back, littering the parking lot with bullets. FDLE is now investigating.

The suspects sped off a few blocks away, slammed into a street sign, bailed out and took off on foot.

"Some kind of sting was going on with that many cops, that quick," eyewitness Paul Harris said.

Police nabbed the two suspects, who suffered dog bites. One was shot and had to be airlifted to Holmes Regional Medical Center.

Alicia Thomas is just glad it's over, but still can't understand why it had to happen in a busy shopping center.

"If they're trying to bust drugs and everything fantastic, but to do it in a parking lot is kind of scary," she said.

Even though it wasn't FDLE’s operation, investigators say sometimes they have to meet in public places because that's where the suspects insist on doing the deals.

Investigators have not released the suspects’ names or charges. They are both expected to live.

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