Escambia Deputy Shot At Apartment Complex

July 12, 2012

[Updated] A bulletproof vest is being credited with saving the life of an Escambia County deputy who was shot Wednesday night at the Oakwood Terrace Apartments on Truman Avenue off W Street.

Deputy Ryan Robinson, 32, was shot. He has worked for the Sheriff’s Office since 2006.

A shot was fired into Robinson’s stomach, but his bulletproof vest stopped the round. He was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital by ambulance for evaluation. He was treated and released, and is now recovering at home on paid administrative leave pending a medical release.

The incident happened about 10:45 p.m. as three members of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Tactical Anti-Crime Unit, also known as TAC unit, were conducting “proactive police work”  in the apartment complex. Deputies Robinson gave chase, and one of the men fired at a him.

Deputies quickly surrounded one apartment and removed four people, once of which they believed to be the shooter. In the meantime, someone stole an unmarked TAC Unit vehicle that was found abandoned a short time later a few blocks away at the intersection of Coons and Norris avenues. A manhunt followed in the area for the suspect with numerous officers, K-9 units and the department’s helicopter.

The manhunt for the suspect and the investigation continued into the early morning hours with the assistance of the Pensacola Police Department and the Florida Highway Patrol.

There have been no arrests. The suspect in the deputy shooting is considered armed and dangerous, according to the Sheriff’s Office. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Gulf Coast Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP

Pictured: The scene at the Oakwood Terrace Apartments on Truman Avenue off W Street after an officer was shot Wednesday night. Photo courtesy WEAR 3 for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Comments

35 Responses to “Escambia Deputy Shot At Apartment Complex”

  1. djay on September 19th, 2012 5:47 pm

    Polices in pensacola needs to be truefull they lie alot

  2. UFCgirl32 on July 13th, 2012 10:25 pm

    So happy to hear Ryan is ok..

  3. Latashia Watson on July 13th, 2012 10:03 pm

    Robert you are a real piece of work. Look me up on Facebook you will see I do have a job and don’t live off nobody. I pay my rent and my utilities probably more then what you do. Do you think I have a notebook and write down everything I see and the dates these things happen come on now be forreal. As far as dates go just the things I mentioned earlier happened this year but many other things have happened involving crooked cops just in the three years my husband, who by the way works two jobs, myself , and my five children have been living here. I’m not saying that I encourage a leo getting shot all I’m saying is if they show us some respect instead of treating us like some wild animals they might get some back. They might also get some cooperation out of the residents on the where abouts of the shooter.

  4. Richard on July 13th, 2012 5:43 pm

    To “Truman Arms Resident”, I would like for you to provide dates when this happened and prove your accusation. Oakwood Terrace is an out of control housing project, with calls about large scale fights and shooting most every day. The only reason some residents don’t want law enforcement in there is because it would end their lucrative drug dealing business and they would not be able to live the Thug life style they adore so much. The first thing a criminal wants to do when he is feeling the heat is to start hurling any accusation they can at the police. It doesn’t matter if it is a blatant lie, just make the police stop interfering with my criminal activity. Many residents of this complex don’t care about the truth, whats right or wrong, or good. I certain you never called the police when you observed criminal activity, have you? NO, your happy to complain about the police bothering you and making up stories of imagined police abuse that suits your own criminal needs. Go get a job and quit living off others.

  5. Truman Arms Residence on July 13th, 2012 3:58 pm

    Well as a Truman Arms resident I feel like the Police treat all of us like criminals in here. Their are working families who try to do the right things and the Police out here still mess with us. When I get off work I like to socialize and ” hang out” with my neighbors but we do get tired of being “ROLLED UP ON”… Everyone pretty much gets along with everyone out here so yes we are out past 10:45 at night socializing. This is my neighborhood and anyone is welcome to come have a picnic in the park nobody gonna shot u Hell u would be more likely to be shot at the skating rink then here. LOL yall people have no idea of the things we witness the Police do in here. Try watching the Police run over a 19 year old boy in the park. Yeah but you don’t hear about that do you. What about the Police shooting a white man in the back because he’s outside late trying to find his dog. So ask yourself why people run from the Police when we see them out here.. uuumm cause the Police are just as crooked as the criminals the claim we are. If you fear for ur life from someone who is suppose to serve and protect then u would run to cause we don’t have nobody to protect us out here we are all on our own…

  6. Deputy's wife on July 13th, 2012 10:07 am

    Doug: thank you very much.
    Robrez: I know you have the right to an opinion, but reading them makes me sick. My husband is the deputy that was shot.
    The whole reason for the TAC unit is to do proactive patrol. They do the things that the other deputies can’t do because they are answering calls and helping people. You have no idea how many drugs and money they have gotten off the streets of Pensacola. They do not profile or “roll up” on minorities. They go to the neighborhoods in which there is high crime. They have every right to make a citizen stop because that is their job. If there is a group of people standing around doing nothing wrong, then thery shoulnt have a reason to run. If they are to have a warrant for every arrest, nothing would get done.
    This incident just happened to happen in Truman Arms, but it could’ve happened anywhere. That is the scary part. The TAC team is trained for this and they did a great job. They do it everyday. Most of what they do, the public doesn’t even know about. There is a lot of high crime areas in Pensacola. Yes, most of them are government housing, but some aren’t.
    I read you comments in the PNJ, but I had to reply this time. I know some people don’t agree with what the TAC team does, but they are VERY affective. I thank them for trying to keep the street safer for my kids.
    I want to thank everyone for their prayers and thoughts.

  7. David Huie Green on July 13th, 2012 8:00 am

    I always enjoyed carrying children out of that place. They were among the most interesting in the south end of the county.

    David for interesting bus routes

  8. 429SCJ on July 13th, 2012 6:10 am

    I wonder what it is about this place that attracts violent lawbreakers? If a study were done to identify the qualities of Oakwood Terrace that is attracting these people, it would be a simple matter of altering or elinating these qualities, thus making Oakwood Terrace unattractive to the crimminal element. DUH!

    If we have funding to study the mating habits of mice, we can afford to study the characteristics of buildings and how it relates to the behavior of people.

  9. eyeswideopen on July 13th, 2012 1:35 am

    Glad the officer is ok. The crime and violence is growing every day, criminals live in our neighborhoods. Yes, not north or south but right in Molino. Look at all the arrests with robbery and drugs here in the last few years. Lock up your house and car! Only keeps the honest, honest.

  10. DJ on July 13th, 2012 12:24 am

    ****DOUG****You just hit the nail on the head!

    What is sad is that if the LEO’s don’t do their job, they get nasty comments. Then when they do try to do their job, the still get nasty comments.

    Which way do you want it people? You can’t have it both ways….just my opinion!

  11. Doug on July 12th, 2012 11:17 pm

    @unreal

    These are from US Supreme Court rulings:
    1. Making a citizen contact is completely within the scope of the constitution, and
    2. A citizen taking flight upon seeing the presence of law enforcement is not considered a reasonable response and is likely indicative of criminal behavior.

    The suspect that fled upon sight of law enforcement had a firearm and shot at a deputy in full uniform. Sounds to me like the deputies had a good idea that he was a bad guy and the bad guy’s actions proved it! Your race card and civil rights violation card are no good here.

    Keep up the good work ECSO and PPD!

  12. billy on July 12th, 2012 11:15 pm

    God bless you Ryan Robinson.

  13. Nancy on July 12th, 2012 8:07 pm

    In regards to what “really?” wrote…….darn well said! And, same to you “bama54″…. You know, if America would live by what it was founded on…..God’s word, it would be a great place to live. I worked hard all my life and take pride in the kind of person I am. I know there are people in this world that hate, kill, steal, destroy, cheat, and don’t think twice about it. Very sad…….If they choose to live that way, they are living a miserable life. I don’t care what they say. But, leave me alone! I could walk in your house and not even know you, and you could have $5.00 to $500,000.00 on a table and I PROMISE you it would be there when I walked out. I have a conscience….and a Savior I have to answer too. These people need prayer…….

  14. well on July 12th, 2012 7:06 pm

    @Robrez

    Sorry my daily life revolves around going to work to support my family, the police have never rolled up on me for that.

    Can’t understand huh?

    Did you mean to sign as ROBBERS.

  15. Concerned on July 12th, 2012 4:18 pm

    @ Really?

    Well said.

    @ robrez

    They walk up on groups like that because it’s their job. That’s why it’s called “policing”.

  16. bama54 on July 12th, 2012 3:43 pm

    To REAL i don’t want them to move out, at least we know where they are now!! I don’t want them in my neighborhood. If they scatter, then you have to find them again, and all they do is destory another neighborhood. I say keep them North and South of Molino!!

    I do have a question? When are the good citizens going to take back our communities.

  17. Wendy on July 12th, 2012 3:04 pm

    Glad the officer is ok. This is a damned if you do and damned if you don’t (for the police in these situations. People, not Races that are up to no good do not run. (Period) The people who like to keep playing the race card undoubtedly are the worst offenders. I may not not have experienced all prejudices, but I to have had my share.

  18. robrez on July 12th, 2012 2:07 pm

    Marshall,
    I see where you’re coming from. I am concerned both for the constitutional rights of EVERY citizen as well as the safety of EVERY officer.

    If the police’s stance is ‘dont run and you wont be chased’ then I offer only this statement in response — ‘know your enemy and you wont be shot’. If you’re prepared to ‘roll up’ on any given individual you better be prepared for every possible outcome… otherwise you just don’t care about public or personnel safety.

    Regards.

  19. Really? on July 12th, 2012 1:58 pm

    OH MY GOSH YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME! Get a clue. A group of minorities in a bad neighborhood….let me just say that any “group” or single person of any color that is just hangin around, is likely to gets questioned as to what they are doing, especially later at night. Now before you even go there I know it is the summer and people are up later, but 10:45, time for everyone to start getting in their houses , unless you are up to no good, and the first clue that you are up to no good would be running as soon as deputies come up. I would have absolutely no problem with an officer asking me what I was up to….oh yeah but I am not “hangin” outside my house at 10:45 with my pants down around my knees! And yes go ahead and call me a “profiler” , because no matter what you say , you know deep down that you can tell “some” things by a person’s appearance. I’m sure YOU don’t stop and ask directions from a group like this, you probably would drive a little further down the road and find a person who looked like a “worker” or even stop in a store for that matter. Everyone in the entire world knows that you “dress” to represent something, whether a business person or a drug dealer. At 10:45 at night I am probably inside getting prepared to go to sleep to be at my best on my “JOB” the next day. I am personally disgusted with all this screaming about rights violation. Look around, see what our county and country is becoming. It is time for the pendulem to swing back the other way. There needs to be a renewed respect for the law, and a renewed desire for people to do for themselves and not sit back and suck us “JOB holders” completely dry of all our resources. But until then, feel free to take the family out to Truman Arms for a picnic. I’m sure you will be welcome!

  20. Marshall on July 12th, 2012 1:55 pm

    robrez….If they are doing no wrong, then why do they run!!!! If they are hanging out in a known bad area, then it is only right that the LEO’s be watching the area! That is called PRO-ACTIVE and is exactly what should be done! “ROLLING UP” on someone or a group of someone’s is not Harassment! Don’t run and you don’t get chased!

  21. robrez on July 12th, 2012 1:03 pm

    Maybe things like this wouldn’t happen if the approach to cleaning up the streets was less questionable and more constitutional. Instead, here is what the cops do: “Hey there’s a group of minorities in a bad-area…let’s pull up on em, hop out all crazy like we’re here to arrest a known suspect and see who runs.”

    Instead of having a suspect and warrant and going to get the suspected bad guy, you pull up on ANYONE and hope to gain a suspect (that you suspect of… ??? running?). I assure you that sort of ‘procedure’ is found nowhere in any official policy, yet this is the common practice (not just locally).

    I know many of you won’t at all like what I’m saying – don’t twist my words – what happened here was wrong. At the same time there is nothing ‘right’ about this approach to ‘justice’… all it does is open up the floodgates of unpredictability. Situations such as this one could easily be prevented if you went by the book. If you had done that, you would have KNOWN about your suspect and any risk factors involved in apprehending him or her. Instead you’re chasing someone you are clueless about — you have no clue if the person is guilty of anything and you have no clue if the person is dangerous. What a shame.

    Those of you who are quick to disagree might feel a bit differently if part of your daily life was being rolled up on and harassed by police who suspect you of nothing, but rather are ‘playing the odds’. What you call ‘proactive’ police work I call idiotic and most absolutely a violation of the constitution. How can someone ‘not hang around a bad area’ when they live there as others have stated? smh.. another idiotic concept. Interesting how everyone is gung-ho about constitutional rights until the rights of someone you cannot relate to are violated. Presumption of innocence? I think not.

  22. Real on July 12th, 2012 11:54 am

    Unreal,
    The razor wire was put up and is owned by the apartment owners. Don’t like it? Move out. I want more police presence in Truman Arms and more people being investigated. Don’t want the police “harassing” you? Don’t hang out in an area known for drugs and violence. When you see crime, speak up.

  23. Sugar ray on July 12th, 2012 11:15 am

    Responding to ” unreal “. ( YOU JUST OPEN THE FLOOD GATES) You need to come to reality and go to YouTube and view some of Truman arms websites better known as T. A. You would be too much of a coward to enter that compound yourself. And if you do decide to go into that place and become a victim of a violent crime from one of those citizen who are just standing around doing nothing. Those same folks that you think are violation the poor innocent citizen civil rights you will be the first one to complain that they are not doing enough. So quit your complaining and do something to stop the violence in there. And BYW unreal do you have any better ideas? How about going in and passing out job application to the ones who are just standing around.

  24. Thankful on July 12th, 2012 9:06 am

    Thank you North Escambia for being the first to report, and the only local paper to report accurately.

  25. unreal on July 12th, 2012 9:02 am

    Hopefully they catch the shooter. However Truman Arms is a place where deputies regularly violate the constitutional rigjts of the residents by hassling them for standing around. Then they wall the whole place in wuth razor wire.
    The way we treat the black community in pensacola is a shame

  26. Mitch on July 12th, 2012 8:42 am

    The fact that a hoodlum would steal a TAC vehicle at the site of an ongoing investigation is a brash act that demonstrates a profound lack of respect for the police. Worse yet, these cretins have lost their fear of the police. We’re in for a long, long summer…

  27. David Huie Green on July 12th, 2012 7:35 am

    REGARDING:
    ” In the meantime, someone stole an unmarked TAC Unit vehicle ”

    That’s practically disrespectful.

    David considering attitudes

  28. rivergirl on July 12th, 2012 7:27 am

    This is an example of how dangerous these LEOs jobs are. A job under paid!!! When they go on duty, they never know whats coming their way. So much violence here lately. Every time you turn on the news, it’s one shooting after another. Makes you scared to go out in public these days. Seems anybody can be a target!!!

  29. Sandra on July 12th, 2012 7:00 am

    Thank goodness for body armor! Glad the Deputy was not injured! That is a baddddd area!

  30. Jane on July 12th, 2012 6:50 am

    Good job LEOs and K-9s!!! Glad the officer wasn’t hurt seriously…keep up the good work!

  31. Clarisse on July 12th, 2012 6:27 am

    Very happy the deputy is safe. Very sad that we live in a county where crime has become so out of control in the last few years.

  32. deBugger on July 12th, 2012 6:19 am

    What is going on with people this summer? “A Rash of Recent Shootings Cause for Alarm” would be a good headline for a more in-depth story about the bad craziness that is running rampant. (more catchy alliteration & snappy wordplay ahead)

    Geeeeez!!!

  33. captain obvious on July 12th, 2012 6:09 am

    I’m pretty sure that when the deputy decided to give chase that the first thing he was thinking about was getting the keys and locking up the car….. please….

  34. richard on July 12th, 2012 2:43 am

    Thank god the officer is ok.

  35. Wow on July 12th, 2012 1:54 am

    I’m so glad the officer was ok. I’m sure whoever stole the car left fingerprints and will be bragging about it and caught very soon.

    Advice to everyone who drives a car – if you don’t want it stolen, don’t leave your keys in it. I thought that only happened on tv and in the movies. ‘Course it could have been hot-wired, I guess – the article doesn’t say.