Wanted homicide suspect tried to shoot Charlotte County deputy during arrest

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PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla.- A wanted homicide suspect pointed a loaded gun at a Charlotte County deputy and pulled the trigger during an arrest attempt Feb. 20, the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office said.

The gun did not fire because there was no round in the chamber, the agency said.

Deputies stopped a rental car after observing a traffic violation, the sheriff’s office said. Investigators had received intelligence that two suspects connected to a Sarasota County burglary were traveling through Charlotte County, the agency said.

Deputies identified the driver as Amy Lee, the sheriff’s office said. The passenger refused to provide identification, and both occupants initially refused commands to exit the vehicle, the agency said. They later complied after deputies warned they would be arrested for obstruction.

A member of the sheriff’s Strategic Targeted Area Response unit ran a history check on Lee and linked the passenger to Brian Hewson, the sheriff’s office said. Deputies learned Hewson had multiple warrants, including a homicide warrant in Pennsylvania, the agency said.

When deputies tried to arrest Hewson, he resisted, authorities said. A STAR unit member drew a Taser, warned Hewson and deployed it, the sheriff’s office said.

At the same time, Hewson pulled a concealed gun, pointed it at the deputy and pulled the trigger, authorities said. The gun was loaded but did not fire because there was no round in the chamber, the sheriff’s office said. Hewson then tried to “re-rack” the firearm, but the Taser’s effects prevented him from keeping control of the weapon, and deputies secured it, the agency said.

Hewson was charged with aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, resisting with violence, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia, the sheriff’s office said. Deputies found 1.1 grams of fentanyl in the vehicle, authorities said.

He was also arrested on multiple warrants, including one for homicide in Pennsylvania and one for failure to appear in Pennsylvania, the sheriff’s office said. Hewson also faces Lee County charges related to trafficking in stolen property, the agency said.

“Let me be clear: this individual is lucky to be alive today,” Sheriff Bill Prummell said in a statement. “While I am thankful it did not result in that, I want to be sure it is understood that my deputies are trained to eliminate a lethal threat with deadly force.”

Hewson is being held at the Charlotte County Jail without bond, the sheriff’s office said.