PASCO COUNTY, Fla. – Body-worn camera video is now available of this morning’s incident. FDLE has allowed us to release this footage. This is body-worn camera footage from five deputies involved in this morning’s deputy-involved shooting at the RaceTrac at US 19 and Little Rd. in Hudson.
This footage shows the beginning of the incident when a deputy was approached by the suspect at the gas pumps. It continues to show deputies speaking with the suspect to de-escalate the situation, in which the suspect stated he would hurt himself and others while setting up stop sticks to prevent the vehicle’s continued travel.
Additionally, it shows the suspect being pepper-sprayed while deputies attempt to get the suspect to put down the firearm he was holding. It also shows the suspect ramming into a patrol car, as well as the moment the suspect fired at deputies and deputies returned fire. As a reminder, deputies attempted to de-escalate the situation for over 40 minutes prior to the shooting.
The suspect is identified as James Zambrotto, 79-years-old. The suspect does not have a criminal history with the Pasco Sheriff’s Office, nor does he have any documented mental illnesses. He remains at a local hospital receiving medical care for injuries sustained during the incident. Next of kin has been notified of the incident.
No deputies were injured as a result of this shooting. Multiple deputies on scene were trained in crisis intervention and a member on scene is part of the hostage negotiation team.
FDLE is the lead investigative agency on the deputy-involved shooting.