By Will Greenlee
Treasure Coast Newspapers
STUART, Fla. — An Indian River County Sheriff’s Office deputy was wounded during an exchange of gunfire with a man shortly after 3 a.m. Friday in the Gifford area during a traffic stop, Sheriff Deryl Loar said.
The accused shooter, Andrew Coffee, 52, of the 4200 block of 28th Avenue in Vero Beach, is a felon who was released last year from state prison after serving 20 years for attempted murder, according to the state Department of Corrections website.
Loar said the deputy stopped Coffee, who was on a scooter, shortly after 3 a.m. at 45th Street and Old Dixie Highway.
As Coffee was trying to produce his identification, he revealed a firearm, Loar said. The deputy engaged him in a gunfight. The deputy was shot once in the leg but managed to chase Coffee about 100 yards, shooting Coffee two times in the abdomen.
***WARNING*** Graphic Video AttachedIndian River County Sheriff Deryl Loar released the attached dash cam video to the media this afternoon. Last night, Deputy Christopher Lester stopped Andrew Coffee driving a scooter for having no tag on the vehicle. As Deputy Lester attempted to place Coffee under arrest, he punched Deputy Lester, drew a revolver from his waistband and fired. Deputy Lester was struck once in the leg and returned fire striking Coffee twice. Deputy Lester is at the Indian River Medical Center in good condition, while Coffee is undergoing surgery at Lawnwood Medical Center.
Posted by Indian River County Sheriff’s Office on Friday, December 18, 2015
Coffee hid from deputies, but was tracked down and found in an industrial area.
While authorities investigate the shooting, Old Dixie Highway is closed from 43rd to 45th streets. Also, 45th Street is closed from U.S. 1 to the railroad tracks, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Coffee was taken to Lawnwood Regional Medical Center & Heart Institute in Fort Pierce.
“He’s a known drug dealer,” Loar said of Coffee.
The deputy, whose name was not immediately released, was taken to Indian River Medical Center.
“We’re thankful that he’s OK,” Loar said.
Loar said the injured deputy has been on the job for about 18 months.
A news conference for more updates on the shooting is planned for noon today.
Coffee was arrested in September 1993 on an attempted murder with a firearm charge and in 1994 was sentenced to 20 years in state prison for the offense, according to the state Department of Corrections website. He was released in May 2014.
Coffee has been arrested about 20 times, almost always by the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office, according to Florida Department of Law Enforcement records. Coffee’s first arrest was in October 1981 when he was 18, and his most recent was on Dec. 3 on drug-related charges.
Coffee’s other arrests were on charges including disorderly conduct, aggravated assault, battery, disorderly intoxication, sexual assault, cocaine possession and aggravated battery.
His listed occupation is lawn maintenance.
This article will be updated.
Coypright 2015 the Treasure Coast Newspapers