Police in Citrus County, Florida said Sunday that a man reportedly seen shooting at a natural gas pipeline had been fatally shot by officers after a vehicle chase.

Citrus County Sheriff Mike Prendergast was quoted in a statement on his office’s Facebook page as saying no police were injured. He said officers from Citrus County, Marion County and the Florida Highway Patrol were involved. The chase began in Marion County and ended with a “crash” near Floral City in Citrus County, according to the statement.

“This is where the suspect engaged the deputies and was subsequently shot and killed,” it said.

“We know that the suspect was armed and extremely dangerous, and pending the examination of the evidence at the scene, we will be able to determine what other weapons he had in his possession at the time of the shooting,” Prendergast was quoted as saying.

The sheriff’s office did not identify the slain man, pending notification of his next of kin, nor the officers involved in the shooting, who were to be “placed on administrative leave while the Florida Department of Law Enforcement actively investigates this incident.”

The initial call to police came into Marion County, where, according to the statement, witnesses said a man was shooting at the Sabal Pipeline natural gas pipeline and associated equipment, with what they believed to be a “high power rifle.”</s>A suspect accused of using a high-powered rifle to shoot at a piece of the Sabal Trail pipeline in Dunnellon was shot and killed by local law enforcement officials after a car chase this weekend.The Marion County Sheriff's Office said its deputies responded to the pipeline around 9 a.m. on Sunday after reports that a man was using a high-powered rifle to shoot at the pipeline and surrounding equipment. When deputies arrived, the suspect, who officials have not identified, fled into neighboring Citrus County.The Citrus County Sheriff's Office said its deputies and troopers from the Florida Highway Patrol began pursuing the suspect on Highway 200 until they reached an area near Floral City.The Gainesville Sun reports that an FHP official performed a "PIT maneuver" with a squad car that supposed to stop the fleeing pickup. The suspect's truck crashed into an embankment on the side of the road. Marion County and Citrus County officials both said the suspect was "involved in a crash." Law enforcement officials said the suspect got out of the car and then "brandished a weapon" at deputies and troopers. Officers shot and killed the man, though it's unclear who fired the fatal shot.The suspect's identity is being withheld until officials notify the next of kin. The Marion County Sheriff's Office says the Florida Department of Law Enforcement will be investigating the shooting, and no officers or residents were injured as a result of the incident."We know that the suspect was armed and extremely dangerous, and pending the examination of the evidence at the scene, we will be able to determine what other weapons he had in his possession at the time of the shooting," Citrus County Sheriff Mike Prendergast said.Last week, two protesters were arrested for climbing inside the Sabal Trail pipeline that's scheduled to start operating in June. The pipeline, a $3.2 billion project of Houston-based Spectra Energy, is supposed to snake 515 miles through Alabama, Georgia and down to Central Florida to connect with a compressor station near Reunion and a smaller pipeline through the Kissimmee and Hunter's Creek areas. The pipeline tunnels under the state's natural environment to transport 1 billion cubic feet of natural gas every day. Energy companies say Sabal Trail will bring affordable natural gas to Florida, while advocates worry it could jeopardize the state's clean water source and environment.</s>A controversial pipeline that has been targeted by protesters for months, was the target of a gunman with a high powered rifle Sunday morning.

The Marion County Sheriff's Office says the man was firing at the Sabal Trail pipeline that is still under construction in the 12500th block of Highway 200 in Dunnellon. The man fled, driving into neighboring Citrus County. The suspect was involved in a crash on the side of the road adjacent to the Floral City Park. This is where the suspect engaged the deputies and was subsequently shot and killed according to the Citrus County Sheriff's Office. Investigators haven't released the man's name or if he is affiliated with any protests.

The Sabal Trail Transmission is a pipeline that will transfer over a billion cubic feet of natural gas from Alabama, through Georgia and into Central Florida. It will stretch over 500 miles, more than half of which is in Florida and through 12 Florida Counties.

Protesters believe that the pipeline will jeopardize the Floridan Aquifer, which is where most of Florida's drinking water comes from as well as damage other sensitive ecological areas. Some compare it to the Dakota Access Pipeline.

Just last Wednesday, two protesters staged what was described as a "pipe sit in" by crawling inside the pipe and refusing to come out for several hours.

Despite the protests, the $3.2 billion dollar pipeline is set to be completed by this summer.</s>A man who fired shots at a central Florida construction site died during a shootout with sheriff's deputies following a chase.

Citrus County Sheriff Mike Prendergast said in a statement the gunman fired shots from a high-powered rifle Sunday morning at equipment being used to construct the Sabal Trail pipeline, a natural gas line that will run from Alabama to Florida.

Deputies and the Florida Highway Patrol chased the man until he crashed near Floral City, 70 miles north of Tampa. Prendergast says the man got out and exchanged shots with deputies, who killed him. No deputies were hurt. Prendergast said other weapons were found in the car.

The man's name has not been released. The deputies were placed on leave pending an investigation.</s>FLORAL CITY, Fla. (AP) — Police have identified a man who was fatally shot by officers after he was suspected of firing a gun at a pipeline construction site and fleeing.

The Citrus County Sheriff’s Office said on its Facebook page that 66-year-old James Leroy Marker was killed on Sunday by officers after he shot and damaged a section of the Sabal Trail pipeline in north Florida.

The office says the pipeline, which will transport natural gas from Alabama to Florida, was damaged extensively.

Authorities say Marker fled after shooting the pipe and was eventually stopped by officers. The sheriff’s office says he “engaged with law enforcement” before being fatally shot.

Three Citrus County deputies have been placed on administrative leave while a Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigation occurs.</s>A Sabal Trail pipeline protester is dead following a chase that began in Marion County and ended in Citrus County.

Citrus County deputies are currently on scene at a crash site on U.S. Highway 41, just south of Floral Park Drive, Floral City.

At approximately 9 a.m., the Marion County Sheriff’s Office received a call about a person who was shooting at Sabal Trail pipeline equipment as well as the pipeline, located on Highway 200.

The caller stated that the shooter was using a high-powered rifle.

Officials said the shooter fled the scene, at which time a high speed chase began and led into Citrus County.

Citrus County, Marion County, and the Florida Highway Patrol were involved in the pursuit.

According to reports, the suspect crashed along the road adjacent to Floral City Park.

Citrus County officials sad that the suspect engaged deputies and that the suspect was shot and killed.

Officials did not go into detail as to how the suspect engaged the deputies, but did say he was armed.

The suspect’s name has not been released at this time.

All deputies involved in the shooting have been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of a Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigation.

Citrus County Sheriff Mike Prendergast, said, “We know that the suspect was armed and extremely dangerous, and pending the examination of the evidence at the scene, we will be able to determine what other weapons he had in his possession at the time of the shooting. Fortunately, none of our Citrus County Deputies, Marion County Deputies or Florida Highway Patrol Troopers were injured as a result of this crime.”

Last week Marion County deputies arrested two protesters who climbed into the pipeline and had to be removed by the fire department.

More details will be released as they come in.</s>FLORAL CITY, Fla. (AP) – Police have identified a man who was fatally shot by officers after he was suspected of firing a gun at a pipeline construction site and fleeing.

The Citrus County Sheriff’s Office said on its Facebook page that 66-year-old James Leroy Marker was killed on Sunday by officers after he shot and damaged a section of the Sabal Trail pipeline in north Florida.

The office says the pipeline, which will transport natural gas from Alabama to Florida, was damaged extensively.

Authorities say Marker fled after shooting the pipe and was eventually stopped by officers. The sheriff’s office says he “engaged with law enforcement” before being fatally shot.

Three Citrus County deputies have been placed on administrative leave while a Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigation occurs.

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> back to WFLA.com for more top stories</s>Law enforcement in Florida shot and killed an unidentified suspect who fired a high-powered rifle at a controversial natural gas pipeline and exchanged gunfire with sheriff’s deputies and state troopers after a vehicle chase on Sunday, authorities said. The shooting came less than a week after protests against the Dakota Access Pipeline near North Dakota’s Standing…</s>The 500-mile Sabal Trail transmission line in Florida has become the target of crime.</s>A man who fired shots at a central Florida construction site died during a shootout with sheriff’s deputies following a chase.
A Sabal Trail Transmission Pipeline protester who was seen firing a high powered rifle at the pipeline construction site in Florida was chased by police until his car crashed. The suspect was shot and killed by a deputy after he tried to engage police in a gunfight (CBS News)