MAYO, Fla. (WTXL) - The Florida Department of Law Enforcement has identified the suspect shot in an officer-involved shooting in Lafayette County.
They say employee of the Department of Children and Families (DCF) called the Lafayette County Sheriff's Office after she was threatened by an armed man, now identified as 62-year-old Joseph Molnar, in the area of 1368 SE County Road 420 in Mayo, FL.
As deputies arrived, Molnar pointed his weapon at officers and failed to follow commands from law enforcement to drop the weapon.
Lafayette County deputies called for backup assistance from the Suwannee County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team. When the SWAT team arrived, Molnar began shooting at deputies.
Deputies fired back and the subject was shot. Molnar was transported to Shands Hospital where he is in critical condition.
No deputies were injured and the DCF employee was not hurt. After the shooting, deputies found Molnar was in possession of at least four firearms.
At the request of Lafayette and Suwannee County Sheriff’s Offices, FDLE will conduct an independent investigation to determine the facts of the officer involved shooting and will provide that information to the state attorney.
