Sheriff: Man holding 'simulated firearm' shot by deputy

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. (FOX 35 ORLANDO) - A man waving a gun at a busy intersection in Orange County was shot by a responding deputy, according to authorities.

The Orange County Sheriff's Office is asking residents to avoid the area near Forsyth Road and Old Cheney Highway.

Shortly before 4 p.m. on Thursday, the Orange County Sheriff's Office received several calls about a man waving a gun near the intersection of Forsyth Road and Old Cheney Highway. Deputies arrived at the location and encountered the man. 

"We don't why he was waiving the gun around, but there are several witnesses who saw him waiving the gun around at this intersection," said Orange County Sheriff John Mina during an afternoon news conference.

Mina said the suspect removed a gun from his waistband when deputies approached him.  A deputy fired at the man, striking him in the arm with a bullet.  It was later learned that the gun was a "simulated firearm," the sheriff said.

"It looks like a real gun to me. It looks like a Glock 9 millimeter to me," Mina said.  "Obviously, our deputies have to make split-second decisions to save their lives and others, and we don't have the luxury of insuring that it's not a real gun...we can't take that chance."

The suspect was transported to a hospital with non life-threatening injuries. No deputies were injured during the incident.