LAKE COUNTY, Fla. — Officials say a suspicious incident reported in Volusia County Sunday night ended with a shootout Monday afternoon in Mount Dora, when the suspect in a chase that spanned three counties crashed into a synagogue and opened fire.

Volusia County Sheriff's Office detectives say the incident started at 11 p.m. Sunday when a woman in New York called and asked deputies to check on her husband and 18-year-old son, who were at their Deltona home.

According to investigators, the caller said earlier in the day she had been on the phone with her husband, Juan Santiago, 52, when she heard him arguing with their son, 18-year-old Johnny Santiago.

The call disconnected after the woman heard a loud noise, and she told deputies that she was not able to get in touch with her husband after that.

According to the Volusia County’s Sheriff’s Office, the suspect’s father has not been located and no one has been able to contact him, so his current status is unknown.

When they arrived at the Deltona property, deputies said the house was empty and no vehicles were present. The alleged suspect’s vehicle, a white 2021 Ford F-150, was spotted in DeBary, but the driver fled from law enforcement, a report on the incident stated.

The vehicle was later spotted in Sanford, where the driver again fled from police, investigators said. 

At this point, law enforcement officials say a regional and nationwide BOLO (Be On the Look Out) was issued for the vehicle.

The suspect vehicle was spotted again around 5 p.m. Monday in Lake County, where the driver fled from law enforcement a third time before crashing into a synagogue on Donnelly Street in Mount Dora, the report said.

“Our chopper spotted him and directed our deputies to his location, which was right there in the area near Wal-Mart in Mount Dora,” said Lake County Sheriff's Office Lt. John Herrell.

That’s when deputies say the truck crashed into the Traditional Congregation of Mount Dora, and the driver exchanged fire with law enforcement.

Officials say responding officers returned fire, hitting the suspect, who was then airlifted to Orlando Regional Medical Center with multiple gunshot wounds, according to the report.

“Once he crashed, he began shooting from the driver side of his vehicle at the deputies and Mount Dora police officers at which time they returned fire,” Harrell said. “The suspect vehicle fled down 441 through Mount Dora, went to Limit Avenue and came towards Donnelly Street.

"And during that time, the suspect shot outside his driver side window at least once at the pursuing deputy.”

Congregation President Larry Mills said he didn't find out about the crash after until after he responded to a tripped fire alarm at the synagogue.

“I came over here for the fire alarm," he said. "I saw the police here, all over — there were probably about 40-50 police officers here, guys with machine guns, the whole nine yards."

Mills said it was unlike anything he'd ever seen in Mount Dora.

“I’m sad that this had to happen," he said, before noting that the truck crashed into an empty part of the building. "I’m happy that this was an unused room so far — this was the last room we were going to renovate,”

“I’m sad that this had to happen. I’m happy that this was an unused room so far. This was the last room we were going to renovate,” said Mills.Area resident Carole Zabloudil said she heard what sounded like 15 shots, which alarmed her.

At the time of the crash, area resident Carole Zabloudil said she heard what sounded like 15 shots, which alarmed her.

“I was freaked out, and that’s why I went to lock everything up in the backyard, just in case whoever it was jumps the fence and hides," she said. "I have never been this close to anything before."

As for the suspect, he’s facing multiple charges, including attempted murder of a law enforcement officer. Officials said the officers involved in the shooting have been placed on paid administrative leave.

Reporter Ashleigh Mills contributed to this story.