Video shows deadly exchange of gunfire with suspect

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. (FOX 35 ORLANDO) - Dramatic video of a pursuit and takedown of a Florida carjacking suspect has been released by the Volusia County Sheriff's Office.

That suspect died following an exchange of gunfire with deputies, which happened on Thursday afternoon, along State Road 44, near DeLand.

The scene was all captured on body camera video worn by deputies.  In the video clips, you see the tense moments as law enforcement officers stop the suspect and chase him into some nearby woods.  Multiple rounds of gunfire can be heard, and you see the exact moment a deputy realizes he has been grazed by a bullet.

"It started earlier in the day in Deltona, with a carjacking," explained Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood. "When deputies tried to stop the car in Deltona, he [the suspect] tried to ram them and pointed a firearm at them, and the chase was on."

Chitwood said deputies followed the suspect for several miles before deploying stopsticks on State Road 44, near Interstate 4, which flattened all four tires of the truck that was allegedly stolen. 

"As the vehicle was coming to a stop here, the bad guy jumps out of the car -- gun to his head -- and runs directly towards a black SUV, where he's going to try to carjack it."

The sheriff said one of the deputies attempted to stop the suspect, who then began to charge at the law enforcement officers before running into the wooded area.

"There are probably 10 to 12 of us, and he engages us in a gun battle," Chitwood said.

Sgt. Tommy Dane, 55, sustained a grazing gunshot wound to the head, the sheriff said. The suspect, identified as Phillip Thomas Marsh, 30, of Lake Helen, was eventually apprehended and transported to Halifax Health, where he later died.  

Authorities said that Marsh had been reported missing and suicidal earlier this week, and at the time, it was noted he was known to act violently toward law enforcement.

"I couldn't be prouder of the deputies," Chitwood added. "I was in the middle of this and saw everything that went down."

This story is developing, please check back for updates.