KEY WEST, Fla. – A man accused of shooting a Florida Keys deputy during a traffic stop entered a Monroe County courtroom in shackles Monday as he was ordered held without bond.
Timothy Thomas, 25, is accused of attempted murder after Saturday night's shooting.
Monroe County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Becky Herrin said Thomas shot Deputy Josh Gordon as he tried to apprehend Thomas, who was wanted for questioning by Key West police on suspicion of armed robbery.
The bullet lodged in Gordon's bulletproof vest, likely saving his life. Gordon was taken to Lower Keys Medical Center, where he was treated and released.
"He's just lucky to be alive, and we're blessed and thankful that he was wearing a bulletproof vest," Sheriff Rick Ramsay said. "You know, 2 inches left or right or up or down could've made a difference on living or dying."
Thomas fled after the shooting but was found Sunday in Key West, where he was hiding out in a house on Von Phister Street. He eventually surrendered after a standoff with police.
"In the course of the negotiations, we even had another individual who was not our suspect run out the back door with a backpack," Ramsay said. "He was grabbed, detained and had about a pound of marijuana, some heroin and a bunch of ammunition."
That man, David Gray, was also arrested and taken into custody.
Herrin said Thomas had two gunshot wounds from his shootout with deputies.
Thomas was wanted in Martin County for reckless driving and driving with a suspended license. He was also wanted in Orange County for a probation violation charge.
The seemingly frustrated convicted felony took issue with his revolving set of court dates.
"How come everything's getting pushed back?" Thomas asked a judge. "I don't understand."
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