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ID Of Lakeland Carjacker Who Shot Himself Released

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TBO.com

Published: March 21, 2009

Updated: 03/21/2009 10:35 pm

LAKELAND - Police have released the name of a man they say robbed a group of men, shot one and pistol-whipped another, then carjacked a woman before shooting at police and ultimately turning the gun on himself Friday afternoon.

The suspect was identified Saturday night as Rodney Deshun Smith, 29, of Jacksonville, who took his own life as police closed in on him in the stolen car.

The ordeal began shortly before 6 p.m. Friday when a group of men reported they had been robbed.
One man, identified as Ronald Fernandaz, 25, 221 Eastside Drive, Lakeland was shot and was taken to Lakeland Regional Medical Center for treatment. His condition was unavailable.

Another victim, Santos Perez, 43, 2415 Houchen Road, Ft. Meade, was pistol-whipped. He was hospitalized, but was not seriously hurt, police said.

Three other victims of this same robbery were identified as Domingo Lavander, 34, 6727 Lois Ave., Tampa; Bladimir Salgado, 35, 1940 Elliott St., Lakeland; and Ramone E. Fradera, 32, 2451 Deltona Blvd., Spring Hill.

Police spotted the getaway car, a Ford sedan, at the U.S. 98 Bypass and South Florida Avenue in Lakeland and during a pursuit, the Ford crashed into a utility poll. The driver fired shots at officers and then fled on foot, police say.

He came upon a woman and two young children in a Nissan Maxima on East Palmetto Street and stole their car at gunpoint, police said.

The owner of the Nissan, Breanna N. Young, 18, 725 E. Orange St., Lakeland, was not injured. She and two young children were not injured.

Police spotted the Nissan and a brief chase ended on County Line Road at Shepherd Road where they were able to bring the car to a stop.

That's when Smith turned the gun on himself, police said. He died at the scene.

Lakeland police Officer Scott Kercher suffered minor injuries and was taken to Lakeland Regional Medical Center. He was later released.

Police fired no shots during the incident, they say.

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