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Car Salesman In Critical Condition After Attempted Carjacking By Deputy Shooting Suspects

CARMICHAEL (CBS13) — A critically wounded car salesman is fighting for his life at an area hospital following Friday's shooting spree that left two deputies dead and injured another deputy.

Investigators say the gunman shot Anthony Holmes twice in Carmichael during the attempted getaway.

The shot to his head was to the jaw, so his family is hopeful there won't be brain damage.

Investigators say he refused to hand over his car to a man and woman who were already responsible for the death of a Sacramento County Sheriff's deputy.

That doesn't surprise the those who know him.

"Anthony Holmes is a strong guy," said friend Tyrone Murphy. "He wouldn't let someone take his car, but officially the guy had a gun, and he couldn't beat the bullet."

The gunshot holes tell the story of a failed carjacking. His friends told CBS13 the story of his life that has turned around.

Tyrone and Javana Murphy are Anthony's good friends, related to him through Tyrone's daughter.

"The most thing I could say about him is that he started changing his life," Tyrone said. "He'd started taking care of his kids, being there for his kids.

Anthony has five kids and an infectious sense of humor. Overcoming challenges in his personal life, he started working, selling cars. No one expected this.

"We just talked last night, and said something about staying out of the way, times are crazy," Tyrone said.

They have faith, sending out prayers via Facebook and email that Anthony will pull through.

As for the suspects:

"If you did something, did the crime, man up, do the time," Tyrone said, "because there are lots of civilians, innocent people that get hurt."

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