Flagler County deputy hits fleeing bicyclist with patrol car, who turned out to be armed

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A deputy hit a fleeing man with his patrol car after the man pulled out a gun during the pursuit Saturday night, according to the Flagler County Sheriff's Office.

Dashcam video shows the incident involving Michael McDermott, 38, who the deputy saw standing next to a bicycle on the sidewalk along Pine Lakes Parkway just before midnight.

Deputy Christopher Murphy, who was conducting patrols around Palm Coast at the time, attempted to make contact with McDermott, who began to ride away, according to FCSO.

Murphy activated his emergency lights to attempt a traffic stop on McDermott. FCSO said McDermott "appeared to comply" and slowed down enough for Murphy to get out of his vehicle, but quickly pedaled away.

Murphy got back into his patrol vehicle and attempted to catch up with McDermott, who had turned onto Westminster Drive., according to FCSO. As Murphy was in pursuit, he saw McDermott pull out a firearm, FCSO said.

"Dep. Murphy, fearing that McDermott would engage him with the firearm, struck McDermott with his vehicle, ejecting him from the bicycle and causing him to drop the firearm," FCSO said in a release.

A 9mm Ruger firearm was recovered near McDermott, who was wearing a holster, according to FCSO.

McDermott was arrested on charges of assault or battery on a law enforcement officer, fleeing and eluding, resisting an officer with violence and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Sheriff Rick Staly called the deputy's actions "proactive."

“The job that a Deputy Sheriff does to proactive protect our community is a dangerous one, and deputies must often make split-second decisions,” said Staly. “In this instance, Deputy Murphy was forced to make a spit second decision in a dangerous encounter with an armed felon. This incident could have taken a deadly turn, and I am thankful that the situation was quickly resolved before that became a reality.”

McDermott was taken to the hospital for an injury to his right ankle. He was later taken to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility.

FCSO said McDermott has an "extensive" arrest history dating back to 2013 and was released from jail on Dec. 17, 2024, after serving a 90-day sentence for possession of fentanyl.