A Florida concealed carry permit holder shot and killed a man earlier this week who was attacking a Lee County sheriff’s deputy.
Eyewitnesses told NBC2 that the suspect had been driving over 100 MPH on I-75. The deputy—who was later identified as Deputy Dean Bardes—gave chase, and the suspect pulled over on an off-ramp.
The details have yet to surface, but apparently the suspect got out of his car, approached Bardes, and began attacking him. It isn’t clear why Bardes wasn’t able to defend himself, but the suspect managed to “throw [the deputy] to the ground and punch him in all different directions,” one eyewitness said.
At this point, a civilian approached with a handgun drawn, but the suspect refused to get off Bardes. The deputy “kept yelling, ‘shoot him, shoot him, shoot him,’ and then he shot him,” said another witness. “I think approximately three shots were heard.”
The suspect, identified as 53-year-old Edward Strother, died later that day, but Bardes will be able to make a full recovery.
Witnesses seem to agree that it was a good shooting. “There was a lot of other lives that he was putting at risk, including mine and my daughter’s,” Nicole Ambrosini told ABC7. “I saw a car approaching me from behind at a very fast rate,” which then “swerved onto the shoulder on the left side and had to have been around 120 miles per hour,” she said.
Shanta Holditch, another eyewitness, said the suspect “refused to get off the officer… He just kept beating him and beating him.”
“[The permit holder] gave him two warnings,” said Gord Holditch. “Get off the officer or I’ll shoot. Get off the officer or I’ll shoot. And then he shot him.”
The permit holder is not likely to face charges, NBC2 reports. “From what I’ve been able to gather, I think this is a perfectly legal defense of others and he should be applauded for it,” said Attorney Scott Goldberg.
Interestingly, eyewitnesses also said they saw another man approach the scene from another side. They believe he had a gun as well and was prepared to help. They said they saw him take cover as the shooter shouted warnings to the suspect.
Police closed the off-ramp for more than twelve hours as investigators gathered evidence. NBC2 reports that the sheriff’s office had planned a press conference for Monday afternoon, but canceled at the last minute. Police say they’re waiting to notify the suspect’s next of kin before releasing any additional details.
No word yet on the identity of the permit holder.
TWO armed citizens (impressive!) came to the rescue of a law enforcement officer who was probably constrained from responding to the attacker fast enough because the leftist fascists have managed to brand all cops as killers.
Be sure to inform the young lady reporter that “Lethal Force” was used not “Excessive Force”. There is a big difference. The Samaritan used the minimum amount of force that was required to end the conflict. If the fight continued the violator could have armed himself with the deputy’s firearm and created a much worst situation.
I personally, from the story read and the facts< I was under the impression that to justify the use of deadly force you would be required to be " In Fear for your Life" and this does not appear to be the case. It could have been if further circumstance had changed, for instance, The gun owner kicker the offender in the head and knocked him Off the officer and then some how gained control of his own or the officers weapon, then POOF shoot that SOB. Or if he actually had a Gun in hand when approached, shoot the SOB. BUT looks to me that breaking up a fight, even a one sided fight as this seems to have been, is not an excuse for an execution. All we have to look at is the article of course but if that is all anyone has to look at , I believe this guy has a problem with defense of this killing.
With due respect sir, you are clueless on the laws of deadly force. It clearly states that you can use deadly force when your life or another life is in danger or you or another are at risk of great bodily harm. In this case, it is clear the officer was in danger of great bodily harm and possibly death. Please get a clue before posting again.
I worked as a CO in a mental ward and there was a foot high number “3” or “4” on the door of each one man cell. that meant a CO could not “key” or open the door unless there were 3 or 4 officers present or whatever the number was. if the assailant was a former CO, he could have been in an altercation at least once a month (or once a week, or daily) with convicts. ever see videos of convicts fighting? it ain’t boxing. the speed and brutality are astonishing. how many down and dirty fights had the police officer had; maybe one or two in his career, if any? may God bless and protect all those who wear the uniform.
Absolutely on point. Can’t believe the line about how it was unclear how the officer couldn’t defend himself. The whole tone of the article is depressing in its PC leanings. I guess I should just be happy that it was reported at all, given the current state of affairs.
After reading the comments laid out here previously, I decided to respond. I learned a little more then I knew before all of these profound philosophical individuals decided to inform those reading this conservative ignorance. I agree with the majority of the sentiment of those that feel gun ownership is a given right. I know there are very few of us constituents that live in a State, if over 21 years of age and not legally insane or have been convicted of a felony and hopefully not a latent sociopathic pervert, can go almost anywhere within State lines with a loaded hand gun. Concealed or open, to the grocers, to the pub, hardware store or driving in your vehicle. No permit, license or even a badge required and I absolutely love it. I honestly do not know the stats, but I would bet the farm that this State’s gun related death rate is in the lower half of the other 49. I am sure there are those not happy with the liberal gun laws, here. At 64yo I have never heard any one complain. It appears many of those fear the unknown, when they should be fearing their inability to learn. Lack of knowledge is rampant in the USA. Your Conservative Republicans and the religious right make damn sure of that. Now that I really angered all of Ronny Reagans children, I will get back on topic. How does one of Lee County FL’s finest(most shameful) and armed, get in this predicament. Not capable, inept, lack of common sense, knowledge and logic?Are you steaming yet or full blown lid popped off? Have I blasphemed your deities to no return. These thugs that wander aimlessly through wasteful, bloated, horribly managed and often corrupt agencies are not your friends! When Bardes goes back to giving out $300 tickets, who wants to be his 1rst victim? Does anyone really think that Barney Fife of another color would have done the same for the Black Good Sam. Civilians are doing the work of way over staffed, over paid thugs. The popular consensus seems to be because they are afraid to do their job(what ever the hell their job is, aside from trying to terrorize) because of a few bad apples.You do not need to be a cop hater, but wake up and stop being a copsucker!
I was with you for a short time, but then it seemed like Mr Hyde took over. As a former LEO myself, I reluctantly confess that cops aren’t perfect; and that there should be few reasons why this perpetrator would get the upper hand on this officer. But it can happen. I wasn’t there so I can only imagine. But I’m willing to guess if you were a cop, and I were a bad guy, I could have your gun in my hands in a matter of seconds, and have you on your face wondering what in hell happened before you could say , ” Barney Fife”. You Monday morning quarterbacks think you have all the answers, don’t you. Hope one day, when you really need a cop one shows up.
This incoherent commenter is the type of guy LEOs should be watching out for. Can’t believe anyone could construe this as an opportunity to snipe at LE or the guy who stepped up to defend the officer. Thank you for your service.
With due respect sir, you are a clueless, ignorant, little liberal “man”. Please get a clue before posting again
Michael you are a ass please stfu and stop trying to belittle everyone…. with all do respect…. Jack ass….
Please seek professional help. You seem to be rambling and incoherent. No offense …
I have been trying to make a point that good people should carry guns everywhere. Most people realize that it is not a good idea to attack an armed person, but some people don’t get it. I am all for concealed carry, without a permit. The catch is, your concealed weapon must remain concealed unless needed. This way nobody knows who is armed, but they stay polite. My hat is off to the good samaritan who helped this officer. I hope whenever people see an officer in trouble, they will help. That officer is there to protect, and he is by himself most of the time. But he needs the backing of anybody who is on the scene.
I should know by the “left” vote that we have soo many low intellectual people. Why, when you can’t think of anything smart to say, must you go to the race card? Dennis, if you ever had a CCW class you would know of a three point tap (shot). Dustin, the man was driving 120 MPhil, down the shoulder and after the officer stops him he is beating him. The officer is shouting to shoot him. Are you soo dumb you don’t get it?. Does someone have to hit you in the head with a brick, Dinozo? You do nothing, ” for you blue line haters ” and you witness a murder and may even be the next victim. I can’t believe your mentality.
You’re wrong Furtrapper. All those liberal leftists that weren’t in the fetal position in their cars, (waiting for the man to come and beat them to death) would be shooting like crazy. With their I-phones and Galaxies, not their Glocks or S&W . Sorry, you are absolutely right, but I couldn’t resist a bit of sarcasm aimed a the left. Hmmm, shooting to the left? must have jerked the trigger. 😉
Yet another assisted suicide by another ass trying to be a martyr. Nice shooting Civi.
Exactly right Bob Black. But not in the idiotic way I think that you meant. If you attack a cop, you should be truly perceived as committing suicide. Suicide by cop. Except the only reason the primary cop didn’t kill him is because he was probably afraid to pull the trigger on a person that would instill riots and further killing of innocent lives. So, now armed civilians have to protect the cops because they aren’t allowed to protect themselves. From the looks of the picture, if this guy were on me that way, I would pray someone would fill his head with a slug, white, black, brown, red, green. At that point race is the last thought in my dwindling level of consciousness as he is beating the life from me. I however, will always pull that rigger much faster. Be it a black, red, or green attacker.
Well, sounds like the guy from Conn. got to much Florida sunshine last summer, must have affected his judgement. He could have been a psychiatric patient when he struck the security officer in the hospital. My son is an armed security officer, I hope this never happens to him. I trained him in tactical close quarters combat on disarming.
Great job Bravo Bravo Bravo. Again we have a prime example of why open and cc are absolutely necessary. Let us hope Trump keeps his word, and no permits will be required to cc.
Seriously? They have to say “the use of excessive force” it’s not excessive force, it’s reasonable deadly force. NOT excessive.
Exactly right. We call that justified homicide in my neck of the woods. There is never legal “excessive force”. If it’s excessive it’s not legal. But hey, you’re dealing with journalists who are investigator/reporter wannabes that couldn’t investigate their way out of a paper bag.
Don’t you like how the media try’s to make it the Deputy’s fault.
GOOD GUYS win !!!
Don’t have a subscription to Gun & Ammo anymore, but I distinctly remember them having a large section where every month they reported instances where gun owners had either stopped a crime in progress or shot the perpetrator in the commission of a crime!
I always read those articles with keen interest and was dismayed and astounded that the Communist Progressive Liberal Moron Media was quick to point out every firearm related crime or shooting, but NEVER reported the USE of a firearm to stop a crime or the shooting of a criminal thug by an armed citizen! It seems nothing has changed in that regard except that the local FOX news will report a an armed citizen crime intervention here, but will quickly move on to pansy and puppy stories!
Generally speaking the people reporting in the Moron Media are brainwashed indoctrinated firearm haters and won’t even report such things except in a negative manner and ALWAYS with a Gun Hating Bias!
My wife used to complain every time I slipped my Combat Masterpiece in my waste band under my shirt to go anywhere, but NO LONGER in light of the Ghetto Trash Thuggery that has increased 1000 fold under the Half-White Trash Obomination who is now criminally and openly encouraging the riots and thuggery of the Ghetto Trash Criminals and Anarchists!
It’s time for concerned citizens to get armed and begin confronting with deadly force ALL Rioting Thugs and Anarchists that are attacking citizens and willfully destroying property!
The 2nd Amendment gives us the right to defend ourselves and our NATION against all ENEMIES, FOREIGN and DOMESTIC!
Human Trash perpetrating Rioting and Anarchist thuggery are DOMESTIC ENEMIES!
LOCK & LOAD!
I don’t know if it’s possible. It would be nice if we had a link to that news media station when we get stories like this to respond directly to them. Not that they would listen. It’s great to hear good news after listening to the regular media. I hope our CCW man feels OK after a justified shooting. Hope he gets his gun back soon.
why three times
“What difference does it make at this point”
White Trash Billary Klinton
(Who we will never see again, THANK GOD!)
Why not?
Because she will be busy answering to a Federal Court for her many crimes committed during her tenure as Secretary of State; e.g. Conspiracy, Espionage, perjury, influence peddling, and abuse of power.
Handguns are notorious for being horrible “stoppers”. While they may kill someone in the long run it is hard to stop an enraged person with one shot unless the central nervous system is hit (brain or spinal cored) There are hundreds of examples where people have absorbed what would seem like an amazing amount of hits and continuing to fight. I just read a book in which several Marine and Seal snipers took several Taliban RIFLE rounds (MUCH more likely to “stop” a fight) and continued to fight for an extended amount of time, several dying hours or days later.
I read a report about an officer shooting a bad guy 14 times with .40 S&W Black Talons (he continued to fight through shot #13) and the officer was hit 8 times with a 9mm. The bad guy later died before medical assistance could arrive. The officer returned to work some months later!
I have long since decided I will do as trained….keep shooting until the bad guy STOPS doing what you were shooting him for. Any other solution puts you and anyone near by in danger. Obviously I pray that decision will never be needed nor will that evil will never come my way.
I also know that in the last 40 years I have had to use a firearm to convince someone to not harm my wife and I so I know it CAN come.
Well Said.
Too many folks get their concept of guns from movies and TV. Where the person shot, on the show flies 15 feet through the air and slams against a wall falling immediately dead. The flying NEVER happens and as you stated the one shot stop almost never happens.
Well put, and on point. Thank you.
Read that same story, however it was a .45 acp he was carrying. After he returned to work he started carrying a 9mm because of the number of rounds he could carry. Bad guy was a known documented Gang member.
Because he was using a handgun and handguns do not instantly incapacitate unless you have a CNS hit. If you ask what CNS is, you have a lot to learn. CNS is central nervous system which is the brain, the brain stem, and the spine. A bullet from a handgun is a low velocity round. Even from “Dirty Harry’s” 44 magnum. Now in the original movie Dirty admitted he shot 44 special rounds in his 44 mag, which are reduced velocity rounds, used because of recoil reduction. Now, if you aren’t paying attention so far, then you really didn’t want an answer to your question. But assuming you are still reading, here goes. Until you hit over 2,000 FPS (Feet per second) a bullet doesn’t kill by hydrostatic shock, it kills by the person hit with the bullet by bleeding to death. Yep, unless you have a CNS hit, a determined suspect will continue his rage until blood loss causes incapacitation. So, the more he’s shot, the more he bleeds, the quicker he stops trying to kill a victim. This is why cops shoot suspects 10, 15 plus times with handguns. They don’t stop their rage. They continue killing their victim. So, if you think he was shot two more times than required, you are woefully mistaken. If someone is hit 10 times center mass with a .223 or .308 rifle. Well, depending on how many cops are firing, and how many tenths of a second you’re talking about, that MIGHT be excessive at that point. But I’m familiar with one suspect that was still going over 16 hits with 40 caliber handgun bullets. Now, if you’re surprised at this, don’t be embarrassed. Most people don’t know this and are truly ignorant, no negative punitive implication by that word intended, and they have no idea. Therefore, their opinion is pretty lacking in being an educated opinion.
Sorry commentary on society, that LE and CWP holder who’s a Good Samaritan is held in contempt.
We don’t need the permit holders name. All that information will do is cause that hero problems. From the leftist news media pestering him & his family to possibly the dead A-holes family & friends going after the hero. Let him be. He just did a great act & I’m pretty sure he is still recovering from taking another mans life.
I read in a different story on the same event where the dead guy’s brother believed this wasn’t a good shoot because his perp brother didn’t have a gun of his own, inferring that it somehow wasn’t a fair fight. I suppose he’d have preferred waiting until his perp had attained control of the officer’s weapon (and likely used it), but I’m sure the brother would have an idiotic justification for that as well. The moronic Force runs strong in that family… Kudos to the CCW good guy…
The moronic force seems to run deep in most on the left from the bias MSM right down to the nutjob family members.
If you visit Florida, be aware that 1 in 4 of us carry a weapon.
It’s the same in Kentucky.
Kansas can carry with out permit .
I live in Florida and have ccw, but it’s not quite 1-4.
“Today there are well over 1.3 million law-abiding Floridians with a valid concealed weapons permit, 1.3 million. That’s the most in the nation — nearly double that of the second state, which is Texas. Sorry, Gov. Perry.” Yep, Florida does have 1,384,756 million concealed weapon permit holders as of March 2015.
Florida Population 2014 19.89 million
In TEXAS it’s almost 50% including grandmothers and great-grandmothers!
DON’T MESS WITH TEXAS!
“It isn’t clear why Bardes wasn’t able to defend himself”
Of course it is, it’s because he was white and the suspect was black.
Thinning of the herd!! Good job CCW holder !! with your attitude, it won’t be long until you’re shown how a white boy WILL beat down a disrespectful negro “boy”
YOU ARE AN IDIOT AND AN IGNORANT DISGRACE TO LAW ABIDING GUN OWNERS!
THE SHOOTER IS BLACK, YOU JACKASS!
Black man kills black man to save white man. Will we hear from Al Sharpton?
Big shout out to Shoot Straight in Sarasota, FL for replacing the shooters legally
carried firearm that was confiscated as evidence.
Excellent comment from Jack. Where are the media for this one. Also were is Al? Only error there might be is in my opinion black mans kills alleged criminal whom happened to be black to save a man in Blue, whom happened to be white. To preserve law and order across the nation. Of course I might be to brain washed with PC correctness. But then the comment above may be also to PC correct by using black man saves white man. We are all the same in my opinion lawful citizens whom need each other’s help to prevent unlawful citizens from destroying America. Thank God for the right to conceal carry laws, another example on how they save lives. White, Black and Blue.
Interesting thing is that these types of incidents happen all the time. Different circumstances of course, but the NRA magazine has 2-3 pages of recent stories of people defending themselves and others with concealed carry every month! Never makes the mainstream media though, as most know they are biased and controlled by the liberals. They don’t want to give credit to the success, but they sure do jump on every story where a bad guys shoots an innocent.
“…the use of excessive force was justified.” Huh? Sounds like a little anti-gun bias leaked through.
I thought the exact same thing, this isn’t “excessive force”, deadly force Yes, but not excessive.
That I believe, is the definition of “Oxy Moron”.
Most folks didn’t hear or read the word “excessive” as it is a common subliminal the media uses to demonizing guns.
It is a good assumption that if a person is willing to attack law enforcement that the intention is to do grievous harm.
The same hold true for those that confront a law enforcement officer with non compliance to a direct order.
This is an absolute story of heroism and why more qualified folks in this nation need to arm themselves. Deputy Bardes was trying to do his job. Folks don’t understand that in some situations, especially as Law Enforcement in this country can get spread pretty thin in some areas due to budget cutbacks and a poorly run Government for the past eight years, they are out there holding the Thin Blue Line for the rest of society single-handedly. This is not an ideal situation, especially if the suspect is one some sort of drug. The person in question was, according to other eyewitnesses, endangering himself and other people. The Deputy put his life on the line selflessly to hold The Line. The assailant then engaged Deputy Bardes in hand to hand combat, and things can get really hairy very quickly in those situations. Thank Goodness, God, and / or Gods that Permit Holder was there. I would gander that he not only saved the Deputy Bardes life, but many others as well.
@Dustin
Actually, any informed person who sees a cop fighting somone on the side of the road can logically assume the cop is the good guy and the attacker is not. Educate yourself and by educate I do not mean following mindless drivel from main stream news media. Sure there are “Bad Apples” however they are few and far between. It is indeed a fool who comes to any other conclusion. It is an even bigger fool to assume that some “Fraudulent Story” is being utilized for the arrest taking place.
Here is conceal carry at its best right here…
Now someone tell the blowhards in California to not make it so fricken hardto obtain a permit ….
How do we know the cops wasn’t the bad guy? Wearing a badge and a uniform is a good way to get away with bad business…
Reality is such that a responsible, informed person cannot presume the best of them anymore. I won’t be helping an officer unless I have more information from a neutral source. May have just murdered someone who was trying to escape/defend himself from a dirty pig with a fraudulent story thought up in advance of the hunt… You just can’t be sure anymore. Waayyy too many bad apples in uniform.
Did you read the article? Multiple witnesses said he attacked the officer
Don’t be such a troll! This was pretty clear cut even for the most rudimentary mind. Making the assumption that all cops are bad is no different than assuming the dead man was bad due to his skin color. The man is justifiably dead because he was on top beating a cop to death and refused to stop despite threats of the use of deadly force. If he was less than deserving he would have stopped to face a judge and explain himself.
Way too many sick people in the world left for police to deal with would be more accurate
This suspect was a felon of the dangerous kind in the act of a felon..furthering that felony..a endangering lives in an on going manner
This ccw holder is a hero.. I don’t blame him for one second for wanting to be anonymous with people such as the above poster. I respectfully request the moderators remove his inflammatory and irrelevant biased comments.
When good people stand up to right wrongs they should be praised and not vilified… When police do their jobs they should be supported. The above poster has done sick ax to grind…most likely a booking slip is attached somewhere in his history
Thank you
We know because there were witnesses, but that won’t change the mind of a cop hater like you.
Dustin, Please add your name to the 911 do not respond list. LE should not have to risk their lives for fools like you.
AGAIN, DID YOU READ THE ARTICLE? IF YOU READ IT DID YOU UNDERSTAND IT? EVIDENTLY NOT….THE GUY WAS RUNNING FROM THE DEPUTY AT HIGH SPEEDS…..WHEN HE STOPPED HE THEN ATTACKED THE DEPUTY…MULTIPLE WITNESSES….GOOD SHOOT….DEPUTY RECOVERING….CONCEALED CARRY PERSON OK…ATTACKER DEAD…SO WHAT IS THE PROBLEM?…OH YES, YOU ARE ANTI-POLICE….
It’s stupid to use the “there were witnesses” as justification for the shooting, because the “good Samaritan shooter” didn’t have their statements. The only justification for this shooting is that the sheriff deputy was being beaten and the perp refused to stop when told to. This was a good shoot for that reason!
WHY hasn’t this MORON TROLL been blocked!
This is an obvious attempt to SMEAR Law Abiding Gun Owners and Law Enforcement, while supporting Criminal Thuggery!
I would SLAP this FOOL if I was in reach!
It takes one wrong decision for someone to make a very fatal mistake….no matter how good that person was or is.
BRAVO!!!!! BRAVO!!!!! I’d say mark one in the W column for the good guys. While it is sad that a life had to be taken, at least society will be a little safer in this case. I hope this gets nation wide coverage…..and applause.
YES,YES, A GOOD GUY, HAS DON A GREAT JOB> BY KILLING. THAT NO GOOD ASS HOLE. GREAT JOB. YES. ????
I stand by my comments. BRAVO!!! Yes, it does suck that it had to happen……but if you do something so stupid as to attack a cop….your getting what you asked for. It is sad that people have to be stupid, your right. But you know what? another word that can be used for stupid……… is Natural Selection. Chew on THEM nuts.