Polk Deputy Opens Fire On Woman, 76, Threatening Daughter: Cops

HAINES CITY, FL — A Polk County Sheriff's deputy opened fire on a 76-year-old woman, who was allegedly threatening to shoot her adult daughter as the two sat by the side of the road in a Town and County minivan on Saturday.

The mother, identified as Linda Wages of Davenport, was shot multiple times by 52-year-old Deputy Christopher Johnston, according to Carrie Horstman of the Polk County Sheriff's Department. The incident happened just before 5 p.m. along Carl Boozer Road near Powerline Road.

"The first deputy to arrive on scene observed the fight occurring in the van with the victim screaming for help, and the suspect continually refused to obey his verbal commands to stop and show him her hands," Horstman explained.

"The victim continued to scream that the suspect was going to shoot her. The suspect then ducked down and came back up," she said. "In fear for the victim's life and his own, when she reappeared, the deputy fired at the suspect, striking her more than once."

Wages' daughter was identified as 47-year-old Wendy Schutte of Davenport.

A motorist spotted the women arguing in the front seat of the vehicle and called 9-1-1. "He heard the victim, who was in the driver's seat, scream that the other woman, who was in the passenger seat, was going to shoot her," said Horstman, adding that the motorist fled the area after calling police.

Wages was taken to a nearby hospital and was being treated for multiple gunshot wounds. Horstman said the wounds did not appear to be life threatening.

"The victim has injuries consistent with being battered," said Horstman of Wages' daughter. "Nobody else was injured."

The deputy involved in the shooting will be placed on paid administrative leave per agency policy.

"He has been a deputy for two years and is currently assigned to the Northeast District in patrol," Horstman Added. "There are three ongoing investigations: An investigation into the battery domestic violence and aggravated assault by the PCSO Bureau of Criminal Investigations; an internal investigation of the shooting, by the PCSO Administrative Investigations Unit; and a review by the State Attorney's Office, who was on scene and will review the PCSO investigations once they are completed."