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Ranger shot at us, say deputies
By TAMARA LUSH, Times Staff Writer
SUN CITY CENTER -- An off-duty park ranger fired an assault rifle at three Hillsborough sheriff's deputies Tuesday morning, then led the officers on a half-hour chase on U.S. 41, deputies said. The chase ended when deputies used a device to flatten the man's truck tires. But the man refused to drop his rifle and was shot in the arm, said sheriff's Lt. Rod Reder. "We could have easily lost three deputies today," Reder said. The man was identified as Hillsborough County park ranger Christopher Kickliter, 26. He was treated at Tampa General Hospital, then booked into a Hillsborough County jail. Kickliter lives at 210 Fourth Ave., Ruskin. He will be charged with attempted murder of a law enforcement officer, armed burglary and aggravated assault. Park spokesman John Brill said Kickliter works as a ranger at E.G. Simmons Park in Ruskin. "We knew of no problems affecting him at work," Brill said. He said Kickliter's last two performance reviews were "exceptional." Kickliter has been employed by the parks department since May 1995. Authorities said Tuesday's chase started with an attempted burglary. Kickliter was trying to break into a semitrailer truck parked at the Carol Motel in Ruskin, Reder said. The truck's owner confronted Kickliter; but Kickliter threatened the driver with an assault rifle, then drove away. The driver called deputies, who spotted Kickliter at 11th St. NW and Fourth Avenue in Ruskin. Kickliter stopped the truck he was driving and fired four to five rounds at deputy Robert Woods, Reder said. Kickliter got back in his truck and drove away, leading deputies north on U.S. 41. At one point, Kickliter and deputies exchanged shots from their vehicles. When the chase passed through Sun City Center, the deputies used the tire-flattening devices. Kickliter's truck stopped, and he opened his truck door and aimed a rifle at the officers, deputies said. Deputies repeatedly told Kickliter to drop his gun but he wouldn't, Reder said. The deputies fired their weapons, hitting Kickliter in the arm. Reder said it was a testament to the training of the three deputies that they were able to get out of the confrontation alive. "It is incredible luck mixed with experience mixed with good training," he said. Cpl. Carlos Somellan has 16 years with the department. Woods has three years' experience. Deputy Thomas Ellison, 52, is a rookie but has served as a reserve deputy for two years. Kickliter had no previous arrests in Florida, records show. The deputies were placed on administrative leave with pay pending the outcome of the investigation by the Sheriff's office shooting team and the State Attorney's Office.
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