In the pre‑dawn hours of Sunday, a disturbance call at the Wawa convenience store on the corner of First Street and Sixth Avenue East in Bradenton quickly escalated into a multi‑agency pursuit that spanned the Sunshine Skyway Bridge.

Disturbance at the Wawa

At approximately 3:20 a.m., clerks and customers reported an armed man harassing patrons outside the store. When Bradenton police arrived, the suspect accelerated his vehicle toward the officers, slamming into two of them in an attempt to escape the lot.

Two additional officers on the scene drew their service weapons and fired at the fleeing car as it entered the roadway. One of the struck officers sustained serious injuries; both were transported to a nearby hospital for treatment.

Pursuit across the Skyway

The driver fled north onto the highway, prompting a coordinated chase involving Bradenton police, Manatee County sheriff’s deputies, and Florida Highway Patrol troopers. The suspect crossed the towering Sunshine Skyway Bridge, looped back south, and re‑entered Bradenton city limits.

Law‑enforcement officials described the pursuit as “highly dangerous” given the suspect’s aggressive driving and the presence of injured officers in the vicinity.

Crash and arrests

The chase concluded when the suspect lost control of his vehicle and crashed at the intersection of First Street and 10th Avenue West. Officers moved in, placed the driver under arrest, and escorted him to the hospital where he received treatment for non‑life‑threatening injuries.

The two Bradenton officers who were struck remain hospitalized. The department confirmed that the investigation is ongoing and that additional information will be released when appropriate.

Community impact

Residents expressed concern over the early‑morning incident, noting the disruption to traffic on the Skyway and the potential danger to motorists. Local officials praised the swift response of the multi‑agency team and emphasized the importance of protecting both officers and the public in such volatile situations.

Bradenton Police Department has not yet released the identities of the suspect or the injured officers, citing the active nature of the investigation.

Original reporting: Tampa Free Press — read the source article.