Polk Deputy Opens Fire On 53-Year-Old Man Who Had .357: Cops

WINTER HAVEN, FL — A Polk County Sheriff's deputy opened fire on a man who had already shot himself in the head after the man allegedly pointed a loaded .357 magnum to his former girlfriend's chin, according to an agency spokesman.

The man was identified by the sheriff's office as 53-year-old James Busch, who was listed in extremely critical condition at a local hospital as of Saturday.

Brian Bruchey of the Polk County Sheriff's Office said the incident happened around 10:34 p.m. Friday night.

"The ex-girlfriend was uninjured but was also transported to the hospital for an anxiety attack," Bruchey said. The incident took place in the 800 block of Hyland Avenue.

He said Busch was still holding the .357 magnum revolver when deputies arrived at Busch's home and found him sitting on a recliner.

"Busch was given numerous commands by the deputies to drop the handgun, but refused," Bruchey explained. "Using both hands, Busch began to raise the gun up from his lap while cocking the hammer back."

One deputy shot Busch twice, striking him once in the right arm and once in the left hand, Bruchey said.

"He then dropped the gun," Bruchey said. "The life-threatening injury was caused when Busch shot himself in the head, not from the shots in the arm."

Busch's former girlfriend told deputies that she went to Busch's home to get her dog.

"She said that Busch yelled, 'You're not going anywhere,' and he locked the gate. He then beat her and put a gun to her chin, threatening to kill her," Bruchey said.

"The ex-girlfriend said that Busch paced around while drinking whiskey and
asked why she didn't love him," Bruchey said. "She feared that he was going to shoot her and kill himself."

The woman called Busch's brother. "After Busch spoke with his brother, he handed the phone back to the victim and Busch shot himself under the chin causing massive injuries," Bruchey said.

The case remains under investigation. Busch will face multiple felony charges if he survives, according to the sheriff's office.

"It is unfortunate that James Busch chose to gravely injure himself and threaten to kill his ex-girlfriend," Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said. "I am pleased that our deputies who put themselves at extreme risk to render aid to Mr. Busch were not injured."

Officials said three separate investigations of the deputy-involved shooting will be conducted: One by the agency's homicide unit, one by the administrative investigations unit and a third by the state attorney's office.

"Per agency protocol, the members involved will be on administrative leave with pay during the initial phase of the investigation," Bruchey added.