Officer involved in shooting Sunday evening in downtown Orlando after a high-speed chase

Stream FOX 35 News

ORLANDO, Fla. – A high-speed chase in downtown Orlando led to an officer-involved shooting and the arrest of a convicted felon Sunday evening, according to the Orlando Police Department (OPD).

On October 27, OPD Parramore Bike Units responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle in the 55 West parking garage around 10:56 p.m. The vehicle fled the scene at a high rate of speed, ignored officers’ commands and began driving recklessly eastbound. The Pijnboomstraat.

The driver ran a red light at the intersection of Pine Street and Orange Avenue and then collided with another vehicle at Pine Street and Court Avenue.

Despite the crash, the suspect continued driving towards Magnolia Avenue. At Pine Street and Magnolia Avenue, the driver accelerated toward officers, prompting an officer to fire his firearm at the vehicle.

The vehicle then struck the rear of a marked OPD cruiser before continuing north on Magnolia Avenue and eventually crashing near Livingston Street.

The suspect, identified as 29-year-old Cliff Presley Garcia Francois, exited the vehicle and attempted to run away but was quickly apprehended by officers. Authorities confirmed that Francois was not struck by gunfire.

The officer involved in the shooting was not injured and has been placed on paid administrative leave, which is standard procedure.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) will conduct an independent investigation, followed by an investigation by the Attorney General’s Office. The OPD will also conduct an internal investigation.

Francois, a convicted felon with 11 prior arrests, faces a lengthy criminal history, including charges of aggravated assault, home invasion, carjacking, kidnapping and multiple charges of theft, burglary and larceny.