A Florida woman who shot a sheriff’s deputy in the head while handcuffed in the back of his patrol car is headed to prison for decades.
Rheanna Diane Harden, 23, was sentenced Monday to 40 years behind bars for the June 23, 2025 attack. She pleaded no contest to second-degree attempted murder of a law enforcement officer. Prosecutors had originally charged her with first-degree attempted murder.
According to court records, the incident began as a routine traffic stop.
A deputy pulled Harden over after she allegedly ran a stop sign and nearly hit another vehicle. Authorities say she gave a false name and was found to be driving on a suspended license. During a search, deputies also discovered she was in possession of a controlled substance.
After being searched and handcuffed behind her back, Harden was placed in the rear of the patrol car.
But what happened next stunned investigators.
Security footage shows Harden managing to slip one hand free. She is seen reaching into her pants and moving around in the backseat. At one point, she partially blocks the camera and slides her arm toward the plexiglass partition separating the front and back seats.
The deputy realized she had loosened her restraints, removed her from the vehicle, re-cuffed her, and searched her again along with the backseat before continuing toward the Marion County Jail.
Authorities say that during the drive, Harden continued to fidget in the backseat — this time retrieving a small revolver hidden in a pair of shorts she was wearing under her pants.
At approximately 2:15 a.m., surveillance video allegedly captured her raising the weapon while still handcuffed.
Investigators say multiple gunshots rang out inside the patrol car. Harden is seen pointing the firearm through the partition toward the deputy in the front seat.
One bullet grazed the deputy’s face, striking his right cheek just below and behind his eye.
The deputy can be heard screaming as the patrol car crashed into a utility pole. He then exited the vehicle and returned fire.
When the gunfire stopped, Harden allegedly tried to kick out the rear window before backup officers arrived and took her back into custody.
During a later interview, Harden reportedly told investigators she had a difficult upbringing and distrusted law enforcement. She claimed she was unhappy with the deputy’s demeanor during the stop and said he was “arrogant” and playing loud music in the car.
According to the affidavit, she admitted she prayed before pulling the trigger.
She also allegedly said she was “shocked” the deputy missed the gun during earlier searches and claimed she initially wanted to throw it out the window rather than have it found on her.
In addition to the attempted murder conviction, Harden pleaded no contest to charges including possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of methamphetamine, possession of cannabis, possession of drug paraphernalia, and providing a false name to law enforcement.
Where have all the ladies gone