HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. – Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) deputies shot and killed a man armed with a fully loaded assault rifle and wearing tactical gear near a busy Brandon intersection during the morning commute on Wednesday, officials reported.
The incident began unfolding around 7:24 a.m. near the intersection of Causeway Boulevard and Providence Boulevard. HCSO Chief Deputy Joseph Maurer stated during a Wednesday morning press conference that the dispatch center received multiple calls from concerned citizens reporting a man dressed in “full battle fatigues,” including a tactical vest with body armor and a communication headset, carrying an assault rifle.
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“Imagine a mother or a parent taking your child to school, looking to the left, or looking to the right and seeing that man,” Maurer said, emphasizing the scene occurred during peak rush hour with parents driving children to school and commuters heading to work near busy shopping centers like Lowe’s.
Multiple deputies responded swiftly. Upon arrival, they issued “multiple, multiple commands” for the suspect to drop the weapon. Maurer stressed that deputies attempted de-escalation, but the suspect did not comply.
At 7:38 a.m., approximately 14 minutes after the initial calls, three deputies fired their weapons, striking the suspect. Maurer confirmed the suspect has since died from his injuries.
“That suspect, whatever his intentions were, were not peaceful,” Maurer stated. “You don’t dress in Army fatigues with a tact vest with body armor, a fully loaded assault rifle, and comms on your head to do anything peaceful.” He added that the suspect had two additional loaded magazines on his body armor.
The identity of the deceased suspect is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.
Chief Deputy Maurer identified the deputies involved in the shooting:
- Lieutenant William Gergel, with 35 years of service.
- Deputy Matthew Fluck, with 1 year of service.
- Deputy Courtney Baldwin, with 6 months of service. Maurer confirmed that none of the involved deputies have prior instances of using deadly force with the HCSO.
“Our number one priority is to keep this community safe,” Maurer said, speaking on behalf of Sheriff Chad Chronister. He highlighted the potential danger, referencing recent events and asking, “What could have happened here today?”
As per standard procedure for deputy-involved shootings, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) will conduct the investigation into the use of deadly force. FDLE Special Agent in Charge Mark Brunell and State Attorney Susie Lopez joined Maurer at the press conference, underscoring the partnership between the agencies.
ORIGINAL REPORT: The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) is currently on the scene of a deputy-involved shooting at the intersection of Windingwood Avenue and Providence Road in Brandon.
Details surrounding the circumstances of the shooting have not yet been released.
Deputies say the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) will be taking the lead on the investigation into the incident.
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HCSO Chief Deputy Joseph Maurer is scheduled to hold a media briefing at 10:00 a.m. today to provide an update on the preliminary findings and the ongoing investigation.
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