Bradenton Woman Shot By Sarasota Police During Pursuit

A Bradenton woman suspected in a car theft is recovering from two gunshot wounds from Sarasota Police Thursday morning after the suspect attempted to run down officers with the car.

At 1:35 a.m. Thursday, police were told to be on the lookout by the Manatee County Sheriff's Office for a stolen black 2012 Nissan and at 1:57 a.m., officers spotted the car on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way and Central Avenue in Sarasota and attempted to stop the car.

Instead of stopping the Nissan traveled north on Central Avenue, reached a dead end, turned around, struck a fence and at that time, several officers on the scene exited their patrol cars ordering the suspects out of the car, according to police.

The driver of the car, Stephanie Ann Hicks, 34, of 2600 9th St. West, Bradenton, and her passenger, Floyd David Lee Laycock, 20, did not exit the car, and the car instead sped toward officers and crashed into three marked patrol cars, according to police. 

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The officers had feared for their safety and fired at the car, and struck Hicks, who sustained two non-life threatening bullet wounds, according to police. No officers were injured.

The car continued south on Central Avenue before it hit two trees, which disabled the car.

Hicks exited the car and was taken into custody while Laycock had to be taken out of the car by police canine after refusing to exit, according to police.

Laycock,who suffered canine bites, and Hicks, were transported to Sarasota Memorial Hospital to be treated for their injuries.  Hicks is now in Sarasota County Jail without bond.

Hicks faces six counts for aggravated assault on a law enforcement officers, third-degree vehicle grand theft and being a habitual offender for driving while license suspended, according to her booking report.

Hicks has had 30 previous arrests, 18 in Florida and 12 in Tennessee, and those charges range from drug charges and prostitution to aggravated assault, car theft and evading arrest in a vehicle, according to police. 

Her license was revoked seven times, suspended seven times and is considered a habitual traffic offender, according to police.

The passenger, Laycock, does not have files charges against him at this time, but they are pending, according to police and court records.

Laycock has had 17 previous arrests including robbery, carjacking with a firearm, burglary and possession of a concealed firearm by a convicted felon, according to police.

The officers who struck Hicks will be placed on routine administrative leave during an initial review of the shooting, according to police. All officer-involved shootings are reviewed by the State Attorney's Office and the Sarasota Police Department.