Passerby Who Killed Man Attacking Cop Learns His Fate

A passerby who shot and killed a man who was attacking a Florida sheriff’s deputy will not face criminal charges.

The State Attorney’s Office formally cleared Ashad Russell, reports the Daily Mail.

Russell, 35, came to the rescue of Lee County Sheriff’s Deputy First Class Dean Bardes when he saw Edward Strother attacking the deputy on Interstate 75.

Bardes had pulled over Strother for speeding. Strother, 53, then allegedly attacked Bardes, pinning him to the road and punching him repeatedly.

Russell, who has a concealed weapons license, was armed when he emerged from his vehicle to help. Bardes, apparently noticing Russell had a gun, instructed him to shoot Strother. After repeatedly warning Strother to get off Barnes, Russell shot him three times in the neck, killing him.

Lee County Sheriff Mike Scott praised Russell in a post on Facebook:

I thank the hero that recognized the imminent threat, rushed to Deputy Bardes’ aid, and ultimately stopped that threat. In a day and age where race is a near instant focus for media and other pundits in police incidents, the fact is that this hero happens to be a man of color who stopped another man of color from further harming or killing a white cop; thereby reminding us that black lives matter, blue lives matter, and indeed all life matters.

After reviewing the case, the SAO determined that Russell was “justified in using deadly force when he reasonably believed that the use of such force was necessary to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm to Deputy Dean Bardes or to prevent the imminent commission of a forcible felony upon Deputy Bardes. Our agency review is closed and no further action shall be taken by this office based upon the facts presented by this investigation and the applicable law.”

Louis Strother, brother of the deceased, offered a dissenting view, which The Washington Post noted. “They are calling him a good Samaritan?” he asked. “Was my brother armed?”

Related Posts

Man suffers horrific death after being ‘dissolved’ at Yellowstone – this will leave you terrified

This man suffered a horrific death in the US after attempting to ‘hot pot’ at Yellowstone National Park. The stunning national park is renowned for its breathtaking…

RFK Jr claims circumcised boys are more likely to be autistic – here’s why

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is back in the headlines – and not for the reasons he might hope. During a recent meeting with Donald Trump…

Nobel Peace Prize committee explain why Donald Trump didn’t win

The Nobel Peace Prize committee has revealed exactly why President Donald Trump didn’t win this year’s prestigious award, despite Trump himself openly suggesting he should have. Earlier…

Trump snubbed as María Corina Machado wins 2025 Nobel Peace Prize

Donald Trump thought he deserved the Nobel Peace Prize. But it was awarded to María Corina Machado from Venezuela instead. Now, the world waits to see how…

Kate Middleton’s special gift from Donald Trump came with an unbelievable price tag

Donald and Melania Trump spent three days in the UK in mid-September for their second state visit. The couple enjoyed quality time with the Royal Family, with…

Picture captures a police officer comforting a scared toddler in the hospital

If there’s something I really admire, it’s when people far exceed the limits of what they should and must do the job to help others. Police officers,…