When Deputy Murphy attempted to make contact, McDermott picked up the bicycle and began riding away. Deputy Murphy attempted a traffic stop, but McDermott slowed down briefly before pedaling away quickly and turning onto Westminster Drive. As Deputy Murphy followed, he saw McDermott pull a firearm from his waistband. Fearing for his safety, Deputy Murphy struck McDermott with his patrol vehicle, causing him to fall from the bicycle and drop the firearm.
Deputies recovered a 9-millimeter Ruger firearm near McDermott, who was wearing a holster for the weapon. McDermott, a convicted felon, was arrested on charges including assault or battery on a law enforcement officer, fleeing and eluding, resisting an officer with violence, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
This incident could have taken a deadly turn, and I am thankful that the situation was quickly resolved before that became a reality. He had been released from the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility on December 17, , after serving a day sentence for possession of fentanyl. Nobody was injured in the incident. McDermott remains in custody as the investigation continues. McDermott fled when the deputy tried to make contact. The deputy struck McDermott with his vehicle.
