Deputies, detective who shot carjacker will not be prosecuted

Patricio G. Balona, The Daytona Beach News-Journal
·2 min read

Four Volusia County deputies and a DeLand police detective will not be prosecuted for shooting a suspected carjacker who shot and injured two police dogs in September, the State Attorney's Office said on Wednesday.

The State Attorney's Office said it reviewed the findings of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement on the use of force on Sept. 11 and said it is not taking any action against deputies Kyle Cowger, Anthony Ray, Brian Luoma, Greg Ingram and DeLand police Detective Anthony Bota.

The deputies and detective shot and wounded Shedrick Andrew Singleton Jr., 21, of Orlando.

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Sheriff's Office investigators said Singleton called a Lyft driver and asked to be taken to a stretch of Reed Ellis Road in the Osteen area. Once in the remote area, Singleton put a gun to the driver’s head, forced him out of his Kia Sedona minivan and stole it. Singleton also stole the driver's cell phone, deputies said.

Singleton, shortly after, parked at the Deltona Gardens Apartments and tried to hide in some woods but a sheriff's helicopter spotted him, investigators said.

When sheriff's K-9 Ax approached Singleton, shots were heard and the K-9's handler, Deputy A.J. Davis, discovered that his police dog had been shot in the face, investigators said.

After Ax was rushed to the hospital, Singleton tried to break out of the perimeter and another K-9, Endo, was released to apprehend him. Singleton shot Endo in the jaw and paw, investigators said.

Volusia County Sheriff's Office K-9 Endo shows off the Medal of Honor he received from Irondog K9 International. The Georgia nonprofit also paid for the dog's medical expenses after he was shot by a carjacker on Sept. 11.
Volusia County Sheriff's Office K-9 Endo shows off the Medal of Honor he received from Irondog K9 International. The Georgia nonprofit also paid for the dog's medical expenses after he was shot by a carjacker on Sept. 11.

Endo, who retired after the Sept. 11 shooting, had been previously shot and was recently awarded a second Purple Heart,

Ax, who also received a Purple Heart, has recovered and returned to active duty.

When Singleton shot Endo, the four deputies and the DeLand police detective returned fire wounding the suspected carjacker, officials said.

No deputies or other officers were injured in the officer-involved shooting.

Singleton remained in the Volusia County Branch Jail on Wednesday without bail. He is charged with carjacking with a firearm, using a deadly weapon on a police officer, and robbery with a firearm.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Deputies, detective who shot carjacker will not be prosecuted