Bradenton detectives wait to interview suspect shot after driving toward officer

BRADENTON -- Detectives are still waiting to speak with the suspect shot by a Bradenton police officer after he drove his car at the officer.

Travis Hardy, 31, was attempting to flee when Bradenton police officers responded at 3:02 a.m. Monday to reports of a domestic disturbance in the 2400 block of 13th Street West.

A woman identified Hardy as her boyfriend and officer Christopher Bennett approached Hardy's car and ordered him to stop, but he refused, police said.

After reportedly backing up out of the parking spot, Hardly drove his car at Bennett who then fired multiple shots at the car.

Hardy fled north to Palmetto but was located and apprehended by the Bradenton and Palmetto police departments and the Manatee County Sheriff's Office at a home in the 600 block of 27th Street East in Palmetto.

Hardy was taken to Blake Medical Center to be treated for nonlife-threatening gunshots wounds, police said.

"We are still waiting to speak to him," Lt. James Racky said. "He was under medication yesterday so we are going to try again today."

It is unknown how cooperative he will be. Charges are pending against Hardy, Racky said, but additional details could not yet be released.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement continues to investigate the police-involved shooting, as is protocol in Bradenton and other cities when an officer is involved. An FDLE spokeswoman said Tuesday afternoon the investigation was ongoing and could not comment more.

There is no set timeframe for how long the FDLE investigation into the shooting will take but Racky said they always do a thorough job.

Bennett also suffered injuries during the incident. He was treated and released Monday from Manatee Memorial Hospital and is doing fine, Racky said.

He was placed on paid administrative leave Monday, another police protocol after an officer-involved shooting.

Jessica De Leon, Herald law enforcement reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7049. You can follow her on Twitter@JDeLeon1012.

This story was originally published November 10, 2015 at 6:29 PM with the headline "Bradenton detectives wait to interview suspect shot after driving toward officer ."