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Man shot after trying to run over deputies, authorities say

By ALEXANDRA ZAYAS
Published October 29, 2005

A traffic stop ended with gunfire early Friday when a Hillsborough County Sheriff's deputy shot the driver after the man tried to run over him and another deputy, authorities said.

Deputy Scott Morrill tried to pull over Jay Theodore Rowman, 39, of Land O'Lakes on Tom Folsom Road just east of U.S. 301, when he noticed Rowman's car had an expired tag.

Rowman turned onto a dead end, and Deputy Jeremy Poston responded as backup. As Rowman tried to turn his car around, he rammed Poston's car twice, deputies said.

The deputies approached Rowman's car, ordering him to stop and exit the car. As Rowman tried to flee in his car, he pinned Poston between his vehicle and a parked pickup truck and tried to run them over, deputies said.

Morrill, fearing for his and Poston's safety, fired his gun, striking Rowman in the upper torso. Rowman was transported to a local hospital where he was listed in serious condition. Neither deputy was injured.

Morrill was placed on administrative leave with pay pending the outcome of an investigation.

Records show Rowman has had several arrests in the past decade, including charges of domestic violence, aggravated battery on a pregnant woman, harassment, resisting an officer, kidnapping/false imprisonment and, most recently, driving with his license canceled, suspended or revoked.

He was charged with one count of aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer and two counts of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer.

[Last modified October 29, 2005, 01:44:11]