BSO deputy exchanges gunfire with shooter in Deerfield Beach

Deputies search for gunman after shootout near Tropicante nightclub

DEERFILED BEACH, Fla – A shooting at a Deerfield Beach nightclub led to a deputy and a shooter exchanging gunfire early Monday, according to the Broward Sheriff's Office. 

The shooting was reported about 3 a.m., not far from the Tropicante nightclub along North Dixie Highway near Northeast 43rd Street.

BSO spokeswoman Veda Coleman-Wright said a deputy in the area heard the gunshots.

"When he arrived, a suspect fired shots at him, and he returned fire," Coleman-Wright said.

She said the gunman drove away after the shootout in a gray pickup truck.

The deputy was taken to a nearby hospital to be evaluated, but he was expected to be OK.

Deputies said a man had been shot twice in the back at Tropicante. He was taken to a hospital and was undergoing surgery, but his condition was not immediately known.

It was not immediately known if the gunman was wounded in the shootout.

A perimeter was established near Northeast 43rd Street south to Sample Road, and K-9 deputies assisted in the manhunt for the shooter. North Dixie Highway was reopened just after 10:30 a.m.

"They did a perimeter block and they tried to find the person, but obviously, maybe they slipped through," witness Jalon Williams said.

The pickup truck was found abandoned by the gunman.

Deputies suggested in a news release that they were searching for more than one criminal.

Anyone with information is asked to call Broward County Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS.