What started as a routine traffic stop quickly turned into a nightmare scenario that no one saw coming. Now, at just 23 years old, Rheanna Diane Harden is facing decades behind bars after a shocking chain of events unfolded in the backseat of a patrol car.
On Monday, Circuit Judge Timothy McCourt sentenced Rheanna Diane Harden to 40 years in a state correctional facility after she pleaded no contest to second-degree attempted murder of a law enforcement officer. She was initially charged with first-degree attempted murder in connection with the June 23, 2025, incident.
According to court records and a probable cause affidavit, the situation began when a deputy pulled Harden over for running a stop sign and nearly hitting another vehicle. After initially giving a false name, deputies discovered she was driving with a suspended license. Harden was also in possession of a controlled substance. She was searched, handcuffed with her hands behind her back, and placed in the rear of the patrol vehicle.
While being transported, Harden managed to free one hand and was captured on security footage reaching into her clothing. Authorities say she retrieved a small revolver that had been concealed in shorts underneath her pants. Reportedly, it was a weapon deputies missed during multiple searches. Around 2:15 a.m., while still handcuffed, she allegedly pointed the firearm toward the front seat. Furthermore, she fired through the partition, striking the deputy with a graze wound to his cheek. The vehicle crashed into a utility pole as the deputy screamed and returned fire before backup arrived. And ultimately, Harden was taken back into custody.
During an interview, Harden reportedly cited a “tough upbringing” and distrust of law enforcement, claiming she was upset with how the deputy handled the stop and how he spoke to her. She told investigators she had initially planned to throw the gun out the window but ultimately admitted she fired multiple rounds after saying a prayer, describing the exchange as a “shoot out.” In addition to attempted murder, Harden also pleaded no contest to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, drug-related charges, and providing a false name to law enforcement.
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