HERNANDO COUNTY, Fla. – The Hernando County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) has confirmed that the suspect involved in Thursday night’s deputy-involved shooting in South Brooksville has died.
Michael O’Banner, 62, succumbed to his injuries following the incident, which occurred around 9:20 p.m. near the intersection of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Ellington Avenue.
The incident began with a traffic stop, during which O’Banner fled from the vehicle. A foot chase ensued, and a physical altercation occurred between O’Banner and the deputy. Preliminary information indicates that O’Banner reached for the deputy’s firearm, leading the deputy to shoot him.
RELATED: Deputy-Involved Shooting In South Brooksville; Suspect Hospitalized
“Contrary to some rumors being posted on social media, a preliminary autopsy completed earlier today by the District 5 Medical Examiner’s Office in Leesburg confirms O’Banner was not shot in the back,” said HCSO in an email statement.
The deputy involved in the shooting has been identified as 21-year-old Dylan Cianfarani, who has been with the HCSO since May 2022.
As per standard protocol, Deputy Cianfarani has been placed on paid administrative leave while the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) investigates the shooting. The HCSO will also conduct an internal investigation.
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