Man Threatens to Shoot Deputy, Authorities Say

A man threatened to shoot a sheriff's deputy with what may have been a BB gun in a Publix parking lot in Lakewood Ranch, authorities said Friday.

An off-duty Manatee County Sheriff's deputy followed Jordan Hird, 19, of Palmetto, to the Publix parking lot at 1755 Lakewood Ranch Blvd. around 5:49 p.m. May 10 to "talk to him about his improper driving" on East State Road 64, according to a media release.

When the officer, Stephen Parsons, approached Hird, who was in his girlfriend's vehicle, Hird allegedly "threatened to shoot the victim several times. The suspect then pointed what appeared to be a black semi automatic hand gun at the victim," authorities said.

The officer reportedly feared for his safety and got away from the vehicle. Hird then left the area, deputies report.  

Hird was located later in a parking lot and arrested on the charge of aggravated assault with a firearm upon a law enforcement officer, according to the report.

The gun, which might have been a BB gun, was reportedly not located, authorities said.

Sign up for the Bradenton Patch email newsletter to get our top headlines delivered straight to your inbox so you won't miss a thing!