Handcuffed Florida woman sentenced to 40 years after shooting deputy in patrol car

A 23-year-old Florida woman, Rheanna Diane Harden, was sentenced to 40 years in prison for shooting a sheriff’s deputy in the head while handcuffed in his patrol car last year. 

Circuit Judge Timothy McCourt handed down the sentence after Harden pleaded no contest to second-degree attempted murder of a law enforcement officer. She had originally faced first-degree charges.

According to court documents, the incident began on June 23, 2025, when a deputy stopped Harden for running a stop sign and nearly colliding with another vehicle.

Harden gave a false name and was found driving with a suspended license, in possession of controlled substances. She was handcuffed and placed in the backseat of the patrol car.

Surveillance footage shows Harden freeing her left hand, fishing a small revolver from the pocket of shorts concealed beneath her pants, and pointing it through the center plexiglass partition at Deputy Guillard. 

The deputy suffered a graze wound to his right cheek, while the patrol car crashed into a utility pole during the confrontation. 

Harden attempted to break out the rear window before backup arrived and she was rearrested.

In a subsequent interview, Harden cited a “tough upbringing” and a distrust of law enforcement. 

She said she was “unhappy” with the deputy for allegedly being “arrogant,” not answering her questions, and playing loud music in the car. 

Harden admitted she “said a prayer” before firing, initially missing, then shooting multiple rounds in what she described as self-defense.

Alongside attempted murder, Harden pleaded no contest to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, methamphetamine and cannabis possession, possession of drug paraphernalia, and providing a false name to police.