One of the women shot the suspect while he was attacking them, according to the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies were injured later while fighting with him.

TARPON SPRINGS – A suspect was shot while attacking two women in the unincorporated Tarpon Springs area, Pinellas Sheriff’s deputies said.

Daniel Don Morley, 18, of Clearwater, was charged with two counts of simple battery, two counts of burglary with assault or battery, one count of battery on a law enforcement officer, and three counts of resisting an officer with violence. Morley suffered a gunshot wound to his leg and was taken to Bayonet Point Hospital with serious, but non life-threatening injuries. He will be taken to the Pinellas County Jail when he is released from the hospital.

Susan Bass, 52; Brittany Cheek, 31; and Cheek’s 3-year-old child, who was knocked down during the fray, received minor injuries. Also receiving minor injuries were Pinellas sheriff’s Cpl. Noble Katzer, 39, and Deputy Matthew Ware, 42. Deputy Peter Lamborghini, 50, suffered injuries to his hands during the struggle with Morley. All were treated at the scene.

Pinellas deputies were called to a residence on Pine Ridge Circle E about 3:56 a.m. Saturday (July 1) for complaints that someone was yelling and knocking on doors. When they arrived, deputies said they saw Morley standing on a second story balcony wearing only boxer shorts. After seeing deputies, Morley ran to the third floor and went into a condo.

Deputies said they heard yelling and banging on the walls inside the condo. They knocked on the door announcing their presence. While trying to talk with Morley, dispatchers told them that someone in the condo had a gun.

Morley, who was covered in blood, opened the door to the condo. Deputies said Morley refused to obey their commands and attacked them. Deputies used an electronic device to subdue Morley but said it had little or no effect. After a violent struggle with deputies, Morley was handcuffed and taken into custody.

Deputies checked the residence and found Cheek and her 3-year-old child locked in the bathroom.

The incident started, deputies said, when Morley began banging on the door to Bass’ condo. Bass, who does not know Morley, said he appeared to be bleeding from his head. She thought he was injured, so Bass opened her door. Morley began to make incoherent statements about God and the devil and would not allow Bass to close her door. He then became agitated and physically attacked her.

Cheek told deputies she initially heard yelling. When she looked out of her peep-hole she saw Morley attacking Bass. Fearing for Bass’s safety, Cheek armed herself with her handgun and confronted Morley demanding he leave Bass alone.

Morley lunged at Cheek who was standing inside the doorway of her apartment. Deputies say Cheek was in fear for her and her 3 year old’s lives when she fired her handgun multiple times, striking Morley in the leg. Morley forced his way into Cheek’s apartment and physically attacked her in front of her 3-year-old child.

When Cheek’s neighbors tried to help, Morley fought with them. Deputies said this allowed Cheek and her child time to hide in the bathroom until law enforcement arrived.

Deputies said none of the victims knew Morley but believe Morley was impaired at the time of the incident.

For information about the Pinellas County sheriff, go to pcsoweb.com.

Pinellas Sheriff | Suspect Shot | Deputies Injured | Women Attacked | Crime | Arrests | Tampa Bay News | TB Reporter

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