Flagler County deputy disarms fleeing bicyclist with gun by striking him with his patrol car

Michael McDermott was arrested for 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.


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  • | 8:00 a.m. January 7, 2025
  • Palm Coast Observer
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A Flagler County Sheriff's deputy struck a fleeing bicyclist with his patrol car after the man pulled out a gun on Jan. 4, minutes before midnight, according to an FCSO press release. Michael McDermott, 38, was ejected from the bicycle, causing him to drop the gun. He was then arrested.

Deputy Christopher Murphy was conducting patrols in the W-Section of Palm Coast when he observed the man, later identified as McDermott, on the sidewalk along Pine Lakes Parkway standing next to a bicycle on the ground.

Murphy attempted contact with McDermott, but McDermott picked up the bike and began to ride away. Murphy activated his emergency lights and attempted a traffic stop. McDermott appeared to comply, slowing down enough for Murphy to stop and exit his car, only to then pedal quickly away and turn onto Westminster Drive.

Murphy got back into his  vehicle and attempted to catch up with McDermott. As Murphy turned onto Westminster Drive, he observed McDermott pulling a gun out of his pants. Fearing that McDermott would engage him with the gun, Murphy struck McDermott with his vehicle then secured McDermott without further incident with the assistance of Deputy Michael Anderson, who had arrived as backup within seconds of the incident. A 9-millimeter Ruger firearm was recovered near McDermott, who was also wearing a holster for the weapon.

McDermott was arrested for 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. He was transported to Advent Health Palm Coast Parkway due to a minor injury to his right ankle. After being treated and released, he was taken to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility.

McDermott has an extensive arrest history in Flagler County since 2013 and had been released from the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility on Dec. 17 after serving a 90-day sentence for possession of fentanyl.

“The job that a deputy sheriff does to proactive protect our community is a dangerous one, and deputies must often make split-second decisions,” Sheriff Rick Staly said. “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.”

 

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