According to a social media post from the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office, the man involved in a police pursuit and officer-involved shooting has been identified as 33-year-old Skyler Wentworth of Titusville. Police say deputies attempted a traffic stop in Hernando for a traffic infraction, but Wentworth allegedly decided to flee from deputies. Wentworth reportedly threw a black bag from his vehicle while fleeing from authorities.

Police say the bag contained pressed fills that tested positive for Fentanyl. Initially, the pursuit was canceled due to safety concerns when police noticed a female passenger in the front seat and a child in the back seat who appeared in distress and attempting to exit the moving vehicle. When the suspect slowed the vehicle and the passengers exited, police re-initiated the pursuit.

The pursuit ended approximately 10 miles into Marion County. Wentworth allegedly exited his vehicle with a rifle prompting CCSO deputies to discharge their weapons at the suspect. Wentworth was transported to a medical facility for treatment but later succumbed to his injuries. According to Colonel Elena Vitt, Wentworth was a registered career criminal with an extensive drug-related criminal history.