Ashad Russell, a passerby who shot and killed a man attacking a Florida sheriff’s deputy, will not face criminal charges. Russell came to Deputy Dean Bardes’ aid when he saw Edward Strother assaulting Bardes on Interstate 75.
Bardes had pulled over Strother for speeding, but Strother began attacking him, pinning him to the road and punching him. Armed with a concealed weapons license, Russell intervened after Bardes instructed him to shoot Strother. Russell shot Strother three times in the neck, saving Bardes’ life.
Lee County Sheriff Mike Scott praised Russell’s heroic actions on Facebook, emphasizing the importance of protecting all lives regardless of race. The State Attorney’s Office cleared Russell, stating he was justified in using deadly force to prevent harm to Bardes or the commission of a felony against him.
However, Louis Strother, Edward’s brother, questioned Russell’s actions, asking if his brother was armed.
