Brandon Shooting Suspect Told Cops He Felt Irate About Mental Health Treatment He Received

Patch update:

BRANDON, FL — A 35-year-old man faces charges of attempted murder of a law enforcement officer after he shot 72 rounds at three deputies in Brandon on Thursday afternoon, the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office said.

Daniel Lighty of South Carolina is accused of firing shots at the Wash-Up Brandon Car Wash at about 12:45 p.m., according to deputies. He fired shots after police arrived at the 830 E. Brandon Blvd. location, investigators said. Lighty shot at officers as they walked toward him, authorities said, and the bullets struck a patrol car.

A deputy fired back at Lighty as he continued to shoot at them after they retreated behind a nearby building for safety, police said. Neither Lighty or the officers were hit by bullets, a news release said.

The HCSO SWAT and the Crisis Negotiation Team were called to the location. Lighty got into his SUV after he shot several rounds, authorities said. He called 911 from his car and told a dispatcher he felt frustrated with the mental health care he received at a local hospital. Dispatchers and the crisis negotiator were able to encourage him to surrender. Authorities arrested him on charges of attempted murder on a law enforcement officer, and he faces other charges, police said.

“The deputies today displayed a great deal of skill, teamwork, and bravery" the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office said. "Although this individual appears to have been suffering from a mental health crisis, that does not for a moment excuse his reckless violence. Lighty’s actions put several lives at risk, and those actions will not go unpunished. He will get the help he needs, this time not in a hospital, but in our jail.”