The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office is investigating the moments leading up to a deputy-involved shooting on Thursday, July 27, 2023.
Deputies responded to a caller reporting that their car was stolen at AdventHealth Tampa at 6:38 p.m. The person said their vehicle was equipped with GPS, and HCSO's Auto Theft Task Force located it at 8:01 p.m. in Plant City.
Deputies tracked the suspect's location for several miles with support from the Aviation Unit, patrol units, and K9, ultimately leading them into Pasco County. Dade City Police were notified and responded to the scene to assist.
The suspect eventually abandoned the vehicle at Publix in Dade City on US-301. He fled to a nearby neighborhood and hid in a shed before carjacking an innocent victim and forcing the victim to drive in a final attempt to escape.
With heavy law enforcement presence surrounding the area, the victim stopped the car, causing the suspect to exit the vehicle. The suspect 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."
"The citizens are extremely lucky that no one was injured besides this suspect, and the only reason that no one was injured was because of the brave actions of law enforcement officers who serve and protect every single day," said Dade City Police Chief James Walters.
The four HCSO deputies involved in this incident 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
The four deputies have no prior use of force.
Tthe Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigates all HCSO deputy-involved shootings.
The investigation is ongoing; any updates will come from the Public Affairs Office.