The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) says a man who threatened people inside a Florida church was shot and killed by officers after “less-than-lethal measures were ineffective.” “Ta”.
HCSO said in a press release that the deputy-involved shooting occurred around 2:40 a.m. Tuesday at the Divine Mercy Prayer Center in Plant City. Body camera footage taken by the department shows a man walking behind a wrought iron fence while growling at responding deputies. According to the sheriff’s office, the suspect did not comply with commands to drop a sharp object he was carrying. According to reports, the object was a railroad spike. FOX 13 Tampa Bay.
Body camera footage shows the suspect kicking through a metal fence and charging toward deputies. The officers attempted to maintain a safe distance, but the man continued toward them. A Bolar Wrap, a non-harmful restraint device, and a Taser were both deployed in an unsuccessful attempt to stop the unidentified man.
“Our deputies demonstrated extraordinary professionalism and exhausted all non-fatal options to save lives in the face of this fatal outcome,” Sheriff Chad Chronister said in a statement. “Their actions today reflect the extensive training our deputies have received and are a testament to the tools they have available to serve and protect our communities.”
New Jersey State Police trooper dies at headquarters during elite unit training
Deputies said the man was armed with a sharp object, later determined to be a railroad spike by a local television station. (Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office)
HCSO said officers feared for their lives and fired at the suspect. After he was shot, deputies immediately attempted life-saving efforts, but their efforts were unsuccessful.
The two men who fired shots at the man, Deputy Robert Sanchez and Deputy Jacob St. John, have been placed on administrative leave while the Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigates the incident. Sanchez is a 17-year veteran of the sheriff’s office and St. John has been with the department for 10 months.
Wild monkey found roaming near Florida: ‘Absolutely crazy’
That’s when the man stepped through the wrought iron gate and lunged toward the deputies. (Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office)
Officers used Bolar Wraps and a Taser to try to stop the man. (Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
FOX 13 reports that pastors at the worship center told the sheriff they had to cancel the 7:30 a.m. service because of the shooting.
