GUNZ
Florida man lost his job at a local sheriff’s office and faces criminal charges after fabricating a story, claiming that he was the victim of an attempted carjacking and shooting by “two unknown black males,” according to the sheriff’s office.
Dakotah Wood, 21, of Weeki Wachee, Florida, initially told deputies that the two men shot him in the leg and he returned fire. However, while being treated for his wound, he confessed that he shot himself, Hernando County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) said in a press release on Friday.
Wood resigned from his job as a telecommunicator (dispatcher) with HCSO amid the investigation into the June 30 incident, Sheriff Al Nienhuis said in the statement, which was also shared on Facebook. Wood faces charges of tampering with or fabricating physical evidence, false reports of commission of crimes, and discharging a firearm in public or residential property.
“Wood said the two unidentified black men tried to steal his car, displayed a firearm, and made a threat to kill him before shooting him in the thigh,” the press release says. “Wood said the shooter collected the shell casing prior to fleeing the area on foot. After being shot, Wood said he obtained his personal firearm and fired approximately five rounds in self-defense. Wood further advised he believed he hit one of the suspects several times. Following the shooting, Wood advised he relocated from the park to the intersection of Cortez Boulevard and Shoal Line Boulevard to create a safe distance from the suspects.”
Wood told detectives he drove to Linda Pedersen Park because he was having issues with his girlfriend, according to HCSO. He claimed he was “playing” with the gun when he accidentally fired it and struck himself in the thigh.
The sheriff’s office said Wood made up the carjacking story because he “didn’t want to get in trouble.”
