A former neurosurgeon, Thomas Steffens, engaged in a violent shootout with Florida law enforcement after refusing to surrender on sexual assault charges. The 72-year-old was wanted in Colorado for allegedly drugging and assaulting a woman, with five additional women filing a joint lawsuit against him. Authorities say he traveled to Florida by bus and declared he would not be taken alive.

Members of the U.S. Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force located Steffens in Indian River County, where he was a passenger in a vehicle that pulled over for a traffic stop. When ordered to exit, Steffens opened fire from inside the car, striking a U.S. Marshal in the leg. Law enforcement returned fire, hitting Steffens multiple times. The vehicle was left riddled with bullet holes, according to photos released by the Martin County Sheriff's Office.

Steffens was hospitalized but is expected to survive. The injured U.S. Marshal was treated and released. The incident adds attempted murder charges to Steffens's existing sexual assault allegations from Colorado. The case highlights the dangerous intersection of medical professionals accused of serious crimes and the risks faced by law enforcement during fugitive apprehensions.