Witnesses shared intense video and spoke about a shootout Thursday in Winter Park between deputies and a man on the run.

Deputies said the chase began in Seminole County after they tried to pull over a suspicious vehicle, but the suspect took off down State Road 436, where he opened fire on deputies at the Aloma Avenue intersection in Orange County.

Gunfire sprayed all over the intersection during rush hour Thursday evening, with bullets piercing cars and flying into homes.

One witness, who lives on the other side of the road's fence, said when he heard gunshots, he hit the floor and then grabbed his phone to capture some dramatic video.

"We just hear, like, a dozen, two dozen shots go off," Simon Cruz recalled. "My dad was telling me to get down. Looking over, you can see the cop go by and actually pop up a few rounds."

"After it was over, me and my dad went outside," Cruz continued. "We looked over. We'd seen all the cops swarming the guy. He was already on the floor."

The video showed a deputy running in the street toward the sidewalk, where Cruz said the suspect was caught.

Deputies said Christian Joy, 21, of Altamonte Springs got out of his car and opened fire on them, injuring Seminole County Deputy Brian Mahan. The officers returned fire and took Joy into custody.

"Cops everywhere," Cruz said. "An ambulance came in, like, 15 minutes and took the guy away."

Joy was taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center, where he was listed in critical condition as of Friday.


(Seminole Co. Corrections)

According to investigators, Emmalee French was also taken to the hospital for minor injuries when she got out of the car and ran. Deputies tracked her down, and now both suspects are in custody.

Jail records showed Joy has a lengthy and violent criminal history.

The Orange County Sheriff's Office said it is investigating the incident as an attempted murder of a law enforcement officer.

Deputy Mahan was released from an area hospital after being treated for a gunshot wound to his ankle.

"My family and I are very appreciative of the outpouring of support the community has shown," Mahan said in a statement released Friday by the Seminole County Sheriff's Office. "This was an unfortunate situation, but I'm happy to say that I am doing well and on the road to recovery."


(Seminole Co. Sheriff's Office)