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Florida Lotto Jackpot Winner Shot By Deputies Near Orlando
POSTED: 7:08 am EDT April 20, 2006
UPDATED: 3:19 pm EDT April 20, 2006
FOREST CITY, Fla. -- A Central Florida lottery winner was gunned down by sheriff's deputies on his own property. Robert Swofford, who is in critical condition, was not even the man deputies were trying to find.
Deputies were searching for a burglary suspect on Swofford's property off State Road 436 near Forest Lake Academy. When Swofford, 54, went outside to find out what was going on, he brought a gun along with him.
Deputies said, when Swofford refused to put down the gun, they shot him.
Swofford had surgery Thursday and deputies said they are cautiously optimistic about his prognosis, after investigators said he threatened two deputies who responded with lethal force.
Swofford won the $60 million jackpot just before Thanksgiving of 2004 and he accepted a lump-sum payment of $34.7 million. He was cast into the limelight after waiting to claim the money until he reached a divorce settlement with his wife, one of two sisters with whom he had fathered a child.
To guard his newfound fortune, friends said Swofford invested in a high-tech security system that alerts him whenever someone comes on the property.
Wednesday night, a Seminole County Sheriff's Office K-9, named Strike, and two deputies were in hot pursuit of a car burglary suspect from nearby Barrington at Mirror Lake when the dog led the deputies onto Swofford's property.
That's when Swofford confronted them with a gun. According to the sheriff’s office, deputies gave several loud verbal commands ordering the man to drop the firearm, however he refused to comply and the deputies opened fire.
Friends told Channel 9 that Swofford was hit four times, once in the stomach.
It's been two years since Swofford hit the $60 million lottery jackpot. Since then, friends said, he's been plagued by trespassers and would-be burglars, and he vigilantly guards his privacy with a legal weapon.
As is the case in all police-involved shootings, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating this case.
As for Swofford, he's scheduled for a second surgery Thursday afternoon to remove the bullet from his stomach, but right now deputies do expect him to recover.
During the past 60 days, deputies have investigated 11 trailer burglaries and 5 vehicle burglaries within the Barrington at Mirror Lake community.
Officials said there have been no reports of trespassing investigated by the Sheriff's Office at the location of the shooting.
Two deputies are on administrative leave after Thursday morning's shooting. Deputy Billy Morse has been with the sheriff's office for ten years. Deputy Ronnie Remus has been with Seminole County for one year