Pubdate: Fri, 07 May 2004
Source: Sun-Sentinel (Fort Lauderdale, FL)
Copyright: 2004 Sun-Sentinel Company
Contact:  http://www.sun-sentinel.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/159
Author: Mike Branom, The Associated Press

MEN IN ORLANDO-AREA GUNFIGHT WITH DEPUTIES WERE WANTED IN S.C.

ORLANDO   Two men suspected in the home-invasion robbery of an alleged drug 
house that turned into a deadly shootout with sheriff's deputies had 
extensive criminal records in South Carolina, authorities said Thursday.

Authorities say they missed a chance to get one man off the streets before 
he wounded two Orange County deputies. John Dzibinski, 35, recently was 
jailed in neighboring Osceola County for drug possession, but North 
Charleston, S.C., authorities blame miscommunication for not having him 
extradited.

Dzibinski was critically wounded in the head during Wednesday morning's 
shootout while his alleged accomplice George Jenkins, 25, was killed.

Jenkins and Dzibinski have outstanding warrants for burglary, armed robbery 
and possession of a firearm during commission of a crime stemming from a 
home invasion in January, North Charleston police spokesman Spencer Pryor said.

Also, Dzibinski was once convicted of assault and battery with intent to kill.

A third man, 20-year-old Shaun Byrom, threw down his weapon before his 
partners could ambush the deputies, officials said. He has been charged 
with first-degree murder because under Florida law, if someone dies in the 
commission of a crime, even if it is an accomplice, a suspect can be 
charged with murder.

Byrom's record in South Carolina consists only of traffic violations, 
according to court records.

Deputies Jennifer Fulford, 31, and Dwayne Martin, 30, were in stable 
condition at Orlando Regional Medical Center on Thursday. Fulford was shot 
seven times, while Martin took a bullet in the shoulder.

Authorities say the three men wanted to steal 341 pounds of marijuana from 
a home in the Pine Hills neighborhood of Orlando. An unknown source gave 
them detailed directions to the home, and after arriving they forced an 
unidentified woman who lives there back inside.

But the plot was foiled when the woman's 8-year-old son dialed 911, 
prompting the deputies' response. The woman, the boy and his 2-year-old 
twin siblings escaped unhurt.
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