UPDATE: August 17, 2023, 1:07 a.m.
On August 16, 2023, the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office responded to Five West Apartments in Town 'n' Country after a bondsman was shot in an attempt to serve a felony arrest warrant.
At approximately 6:44 p.m., a bondsman seeking to serve a warrant for the trafficking of fentanyl reached out to HCSO for assistance.
After an unsuccessful first attempt, the bondsman made contact with the subject at 8:07 p.m., where multiple shots were fired, one of which grazed the bondsman in the arm.
Deputies immediately secured the perimeter and safely evacuated residents of the apartment complex.
HCSO tried to make contact with the gunman, who was believed to be the person being served the warrant, with negative results.
The Crisis Negotiation Team, Bomb Team, and SWAT were deployed shortly thereafter in an effort to communicate with the gunman safely.
At 10:41 p.m., HCSO entered the apartment using a robot to assess the situation, where it was confirmed that the subject had succumbed to self-inflicted gunshot wounds.
"I'm thankful that due to the diligent and brave efforts of our deputies, no other innocent lives were impacted by this individual," said Sheriff Chad Chronister. "This situation could have ended much differently had our team not swiftly assessed the scene and protected our citizens from a man determined not to be taken into custody. Incidents like this are why teamHCSO invests in technology to keep our community and personnel safe."
Our Criminal Investigations Division will work to confirm the identity of the deceased.
This investigation is ongoing; any updates will come from the Public Affairs Office.
To view Chief Deputy Joseph Maurer’s interview from the scene, click here.