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. 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. 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.” 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.
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)