LABELLE — On Friday, March 15, three Hendry County Sheriff’s deputies became involved in an officer-involved shooting after attempting to conduct a traffic stop in reference to a stolen tag in the 400 block of West Hickpochee Ave.

As deputies approached the vehicle the driver rapidly accelerated, violently striking one of the deputies with his vehicle. The deputy was flung onto the hood of the vehicle and into the windshield. The subject continued to drive and the deputy was thrown from the hood. After the suspect struck the deputy with his vehicle, he attempted to flee the area. Deputies pursued the suspect for a short distance which resulted in gunfire incapacitating the driver.

The driver of the vehicle was identified as 19-year-old Brad Gene Bogard. Bogard was later pronounced deceased at the hospital.

Florida Department of Law Enforcement was contacted and requested to investigate the officer-involved shooting.

All deputies involved were placed on administrative leave with pay until the conclusion of the investigation.