The Office of State Attorney Glenn Hess announces that on November 19, 2020, a Bay County jury found Terrance Lamont Britton guilty of Attempted Second Degree Murder of a Law Enforcement Officer, Aggravated Assault of a Law Enforcement Officer, Fleeing to Elude a Law Enforcement Officer with Lights & Sirens with High Speed or Reckless Driving, Leaving the Scene of a Crash with Injury, and Driving Under the Influence.
On December 28, 2017, Officer Klingensmith and his trainee, Officer Shoemaker witnessed the Defendant at a gas station stumbling and entering a vehicle. Believing Britton to be possibly impaired they attempted a traffic stop after the vehicle he was operating crossed into oncoming traffic and was swerving. Britton then fled from the officers as they attempted the traffic stop at high speeds. The pursuit was dangerous and the officers terminated the pursuit. Britton then drove down Kendrick Road in Parker and the officers waited on Cherry Street for him to exit. After waiting they discovered Britton had crashed into an unoccupied vehicle, leaving his wife unconscious and bleeding inside the vehicle. The officers saw Britton walking away from the crash and attempted to detain him. Upon doing so, Britton brandished and pointed a silver 9mm handgun at the officers. Officer Shoemaker discharged his issued weapon twice at Britton and Officer Klingensmith discharged his weapon once before it jammed. Britton was not struck by the gunfire and ran from the officers. Officer Klingensmith then was able to catch the defendant and tackled him. After tackling Britton, Britton shoved his firearm underneath the vest of Officer Klingensmith. Officer Kligensmith grabbed the slide of the firearm to keep it from discharging and fought for his life. Sergeant Rexford from Springfield Police Department also arrived on scene and used his taser to subdue Britton. After tasing Britton, Officer Klingensmith was able to remove the firearm from Britton’s possession. Defendant’s blood was later taken and found to contain cocaine and a 0.127 blood alcohol level. Britton is a Prison Releasee Reoffender after just being released from prison for Armed Robbery from Palm Beach County, where he served 10 years.
The Defendant is facing a mandatory life sentence without the possibility of parole, and up to 65 years of consecutive time. Sentencing will be set before Circuit Judge Christopher Patterson at a later date to be determined.
For additional information, contact Chief Assistant State Attorney Larry Basford.