Wanted suspect hospitalized after shooting at Hernando deputy in Brooksville plaza parking lot
BROOKSVILLE, Fla. - A wanted suspect who fired at a Hernando County deputy Friday afternoon was shot by that deputy, according to the Hernando County Sheriff's Office.
Dig deeper:
The deputy-involved shooting happened in a Brooksville plaza parking lot located at 19390 Cortez Boulevard, Hernando County Sheriff Al Nienhuis said in a social media video. The plaza includes a Publix store and an Anytime Fitness.
Nienhuis said deputies went to approach the suspect, who was identified as 31-year-old Zachary Bowles, after receiving an anonymous tip about his whereabouts. That's when the suspect fled and shot at the deputy.
That's when the deputy returned fire, and shot the suspect, the sheriff's office said. The deputy was not injured in the shooting, Nienhuis said.
The suspect was taken into custody and was taken to a local hospital for treatment, but is expected to be released Friday night and taken to the Pasco County Jail.
The backstory:
"He has 21 felony convictions in the state of Florida," Nienhuis said. "He’s been to prison at least two separate times. He is wanted, currently, out of Pasco County for attempted armed robbery as well as felon in possession of a firearm,"
Nienhuis said Bowles is a documented gang member and was already under surveillance by the U.S. Marshals Service for the Pasco incident.
What's next:
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is taking over the criminal investigation, and HCSO deputies were at the scene assisting with their investigation. Officials said a gun that's believed to be the suspect's was found at the scene.
The deputy that fired their weapon is placed on paid administrative leave.
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