RIVERVIEW, Fla. – A Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) deputy discharged his service weapon, critically injuring an armed suspect, during a domestic violence incident in Riverview early Sunday morning. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) is now investigating the deputy-involved shooting.
According to HCSO, at approximately 3:47 a.m. on March 23, 2025, deputies responded to a 911 call reporting a domestic violence situation at a residence on the 10500 block of Lake Montauk Drive in Riverview. Upon arrival, they located a woman outside the home who had been physically assaulted. She informed deputies that the suspect, 50-year-old Manuel Alvarez, was still inside and armed with a gun.
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Deputies entered the residence and gave Alvarez multiple verbal commands. During the attempt to make contact, Alvarez allegedly pointed a firearm at a deputy and threatened to shoot him.
“As our deputies tried to make contact, Alvarez yelled for them to come up and threatened to shoot them,” said Sheriff Chad Chronister. “These were clear threats to our deputies’ lives.”
In response to the immediate threat, Deputy Shawn Swinford, 35, discharged his service weapon, striking Alvarez.
Alvarez was transported to a local hospital where he is in critical condition and undergoing surgery.
Deputy Swinford, who joined HCSO in July 2024 and has eight years of prior law enforcement experience, has been placed on administrative leave with pay pending the outcome of the investigation. HCSO confirmed he has no prior use of force incidents.
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FDLE is conducting an independent investigation into the shooting.
“This was a volatile and dangerous situation that could have turned deadly for our deputies and others. Our deputies are trained to make critical decisions under pressure, and in this case, our deputy made a split-second decision to not only protect himself, but everyone in that home,” Sheriff Chronister said. “This incident began with an act of domestic violence, a heartbreaking reality that affects individuals and families in our community. If you are a victim of abuse, I urge you to contact law enforcement. There is support, there are resources, and there is a way out.”
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