Deputy Discharges Firearm While Responding To Call

While responding to a disturbance call in Tampa, a deputy discharged her firearm after a dog charged at her. 

On November 5, 2021, at approximately 6 p.m., Deputy Allison Miller and Deputy Carlos Rivera responded to a home in the 6000 block of S 15th Avenue in reference to a disturbance. Initially, when the deputies arrived at the residence, nobody answered the front door. While Deputy Miller waited at the front door, Deputy Rivera checked a shed on the property.

A man would later open the front door, at which time, a dog charged toward Deputy Miller. While backing away from the dog, she slipped and fell, and fired two shots toward the dog. Deputy Rivera attempted to get the dog to retreat back into the home, however, it again charged toward Deputy Miller. She fired two more shots toward the dog. 

Throughout the course of the incident, the dog was not injured, nor were the deputies. However, something did ricochet off the ground, striking the man who answered the front door. It caused a small laceration to his face. It’s unclear at this time what struck him. He was transported to the hospital with a non-life-threatening injury.

The investigation is ongoing. All further updates will be released through the Public Affairs Office.