INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) — A former neurosurgeon was involved in a gunfight with Florida law enforcement Monday night as detectives tried to take him into custody on a warrant out of Colorado.

Thomas Steffens, 72, is believed to have fled Colorado after being accused of drugging a woman with prescription medications and sexually assaulting her.

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Investigators said they learned Steffens was traveling by bus to the Treasure Coast and had stated “he would not be taken into custody alive.”

Members of the U.S. Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force found Steffens riding in the passenger seat of a car in Indian River County. Authorities said the driver pulled over for a traffic stop, but Steffens refused to get out.

He then began shooting at law enforcement from inside the vehicle, according to the Martin County Sheriff’s Office, which assisted with the incident.

Detectives returned fire, striking Steffens multiple times. A photo provided by the sheriff’s office showed a vehicle riddled with bullet holes.

Steffens was taken to a nearby hospital and is expected to survive, officials said.

A U.S. Marshal was also shot in the leg during the gunfight. Authorities said he was treated for his injuries and released. No other injuries were reported.

Steffens now faces attempted murder charges, in addition to his pending sexual assault charges out of Colorado.

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