Sheriff Chad Chorister said it "was a terrifying scene from a criminal not only willing to steal a car but hold a hostage at gunpoint with no regard for human life."
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) is investigating the moments leading up to a deputy-involved shooting last night after a car was stolen at AdventHealth in Tampa, located in Plant City and ended in Dade City.
According to HCSO, deputies responded to a caller reporting their car was stolen at AdventHealth Tampa at 6:38 p.m. The person said their vehicle was equipped with GPS. HCSO’s Auto Theft Task Force located it at 8:01 p.m. in Plant City.
HCSO’s Aviation Unit, patrol units and K9 tracked the suspect’s location for several miles, ultimately leading them into Pasco County. Dade City Police were notified and responded to the scene to assist.
After abandoning the vehicle at Publix on US-Hwy. 301 in Dade City, the suspect fled to a nearby neighborhood where he hid in a shed before carjacking an innocent victim and forcing the person to drive in a final attempt to evade law enforcement.
With heavy law enforcement presence surrounding the area, the brave victim stopped the car, causing the suspect to exit the vehicle. He then aimed his gun at Dade City officers, who were assisting on scene. Four HCSO deputies and one Dade City Police Officer subsequently fired their service weapons, shooting the suspect. The unidentified suspect was transported to a local hospital in critical condition and refused to provide identification to deputies on the scene.
“This is a terrifying scene from a criminal willing to not only steal a car from an innocent person but hold a hostage at gunpoint with no regard for human life,” said Sheriff Chad Chronister. “Our deputies worked with the utmost professionalism and precision while tracking this suspect as he wreaked havoc throughout our region.”
No victims were injured.
The four HCSO deputies involved in this incident, who have no prior use of force, were:
- Deputy Brennan Allen, 24
- One year of service
- Deputy Cody Burgess, 26
- Four years of service
- Deputy Jonah Daniel, 23
- Eight months of service
- Deputy Taylor Zackman, 29
- Nearly two years of service
Under Florida State Law, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigates all deputy-involved shootings.
The investigation is ongoing.
