Aitken is still on leave, recovering from his injuries. It has been almost 11 years since the inception of IONTB. Officers in neighboring Pinellas county were alerted that the car was spotted in the area. That moment of hesitation, Gualtieri said, may have been exactly what kept both officers alive. Viano and the K9 werent hurt. That's when Aitken and Taco, assisted by Viano, began to track him. He fell to the ground unconscious and not breathing, and K-9 Taco can be seen on the body camera footage attacking Bostick. Cpl. He and Taco will be reunited Friday, he added. Gualtieri said Bostick was arrested 18 times, including 34 different felonies and 22 different misdemeanor charges. Holloway says because this incident involves a sheriffs deputy, the St. Pete Police Department is handling the investigation. When the deputies got there, the suspect . Deputies continue to investigate, and no suspect is in custody at this time. Aitkenis currently in stable condition. "You dont want that phone call," he offered. If you want a pest-free patio this spring, the most important thing you can do is take away those elements that bugs find desirable. A chase ensued through Clearwater and into Safety Harbor. "Getting here is the longest drive of your life. Get the best experience and stay connected to your community with our Spectrum News app. ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. An early Sunday morning hit and run led to one man being shot dead by police in a St. Petersburg home, the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office said. Don Lemon, longtime CNN host, out at cable news network, Tampa chef announces new bar and market Lara, coming in early 2024, NHL playoffs: Lightning-Maple Leafs Game 4 live updates, Lightning defenseman Darren Raddyshs blackout moment in Game 3, Dale Mabry shooting between people in vehicles injures 2, Tampa police say. It was started to ensure investigations into law enforcement use of deadly force are objective. They followed him to the backyard of a home on 60th Avenue North. Ordered him to show them his hands and then you could see the deceased with a gun.". Aitken was hit three times in his neck, wrist and leg. ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - A Pinellas County deputy who the sheriff described as an experienced law enforcement officer with grit had surgery Monday morning after he was shot in the neck, hand, and leg while responding to a vehicle burglary report. Cpl. Detectives claimed Spanoudis made suicidal statements and then pointed a gun at Officer Jace Morrow. The shooting was reported just after 10 a.m. Wednesday in the area of . According to the sheriff's office, when deputies arrived, they spotted the suspect at Grace Brethren Church. HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. A woman was killed and a man remains in critical condition after a shooting Tuesday night on Interstate 4 near Plant City. From Viano's body camera, you can see just after Aitken and Taco go over the fence, he tried to go around the fence for a moment before quickly deciding to also scale the fence, too. The suspect was identified as 23-year-old Zion Bostick, who was released from state prison exactly one year before Sunday's shooting: March 12, 2022. No one else has been arrested. "Matt is, thankfully, one of our more experienced deputies. After several shots were fired by Bostick, Viano was able to return fire, ultimately shooting the fatal shot that killed Bostick. Then, they heard gunfire. That's when Cpl. The incident came less than two weeks after a woman was killed and a man critically injured in a suspected road-rage shooting on I-4 in Plant City. You can watch the full news conference below. Our Spectrum News app is the most convenient way to get the stories that matter to you. PINELLAS PARK, Fla. A Pinellas Park apartment complex was evacuated Wednesday as police investigated a reported shooting. Officers then tried to make contact with the residence several times, to no avail. Viano was trailing behind Cpl. The individual followed the suspect and provided updates to the agency. Risk protection orders take away a person's right to own firearms. Updated: Apr 26, 2023 / 08:40 AM EDT. Aitken is 40 years old and has a wife and young daughter, the sheriff said. Finally, detectives spoke to the car's owner, who lives at a nursing home. According to Holloway, a man went to the home of his ex-girlfriend where he battered her and her son. Zion Bostik was killed after opening fire on Pinellas County deputies an a K-9. Copyright 2022 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Deputies are still on the hunt. If it wasn't for a second deputy who was at the call that night, it's possible K9 Corporal Matthew Aitken would've been shot dead by the Bostick, Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri said. Aitken said he is recovering and hopes to be back on the job in about six months. Holloway said deputies used that video to create their plan to make contact with the suspect. Board didnt say why. PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) Some Pinellas County students will have to report to class over two hours earlier next year. Example video title will go here for this video. Deputies responded to the man's nearby home on 38th Street North just after 10:30 p.m. "They were going to try to call him. The State Attorney's Office has ruled that a Pinellas County Sheriff's sergeant was justified in shooting and killing a man who fired at him after shooting and wounding another officer on. Chief Holloway's agency is investigating the deputy-involved shooting as part of the Pinellas County Use of Deadly Force Investigative Taskforce, which was created in 2020. According to St. Petersburg Police, officers forced open the door of the home and found Gus Spanoudis in a back bedroom. ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. St. Pete Police are leading the investigation into a deadly deputy-involved shooting that happened on Monday night. In about 40 seconds, I could smell the cordite, and in that time, there was I dont know how many 20, 30 police vehicles.. "He simply didnt want to go back to prison," Sheriff Gualtieri said. A teenage girl is in stable condition after being shot in the leg Friday night while riding in a car with her father on Interstate 4 outside Plant City, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. He not only saved his own life, but he saved Matts life.". Paramedics treated one victim, an adult male, with life-threatening injuries, at the scene. Aitken spent some time in the hospital, but has since been released. "He's very thankful for being able to do what he did," Sheriff Gualtieri said. Aitken spotted Bostick trying to hide around the corner of the house, officials said, and "verbally challenged him. A shooting by Pinellas County deputies that killed a 43-year-old man was determined to be justifiable, the State Attorney's Office announced on Thursday. He said getting the call that the deputy was injured was not easy. Our Spectrum News app is the most convenient way to get the stories that matter to you. Holloway said the man ran from the home before deputies arrived. PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. The State Attorney's Office released the results of their investigation into a shooting that left a Pinellas County deputy in the hospital and a 23-year-old man dead. FOX 13 News. On Tuesday, the school board . During a press conference April 6, Aitken also credited Taco's training to his survival. Aitken said he has not watched the body camera video of himself being shot by the suspect. ", READ: Police: Tarpon Springs man arrested for placing camera inside men's restroom at 'We Spy Coffee & More'. "K-9 handlers train a lot with their dogs for the gunshot scenario but one never really knows how the K9 is going to react in a real situation. SPPD Chief Anthony Holloway said Pinellas County detectives . Aitken was shot in the neck, hand and leg and "immediately" went down, the sheriff said. After Hubbard was shot and deemed to not be armed anymore, Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri says deputies started to perform life-saving measures on him. Updated April 24, 2023 8:53AM. The video . Cpl. When deputies arrived, they tried to confront Bostick, leading to a chase. Kurt Bollenbacher was working in his driveway Thursday when he heard a helicopter above his home. Get the Android Weather app from Google Play, FL Panthers oust Bruins 4-3 in OT in Game 7, 1 killed when plane slams into LA neighborhood, St. Pete donut shop damaged after car crashes into, White Sox stop slide with wild 12-9 win against Rays, Where you can use expired Bed Bath & Beyond coupons, Family of Pass-a-Grille drowning victims speaks out, Toddler of Bucs linebacker drowned Sunday, police, Womans Medicare cut off after gov. Thank God nothing happened to that gentleman, but at the same time he did the right thing because he saw someone committing a crime in his community and he didnt want that in his community, he said. He identified the. The deputies involved are being interviewed. They identified those officers as Robert Smith, Daniel Abbott, Anthony Hellstern and Demarcus Flournoy. Just by the grace of God, I survived the ambush. Get notified on your phone in the morning with the latest forecast and news to start your day. The state attorney's office will also be involved in the investigation. They made contact with him. FOX 13 News. He fell down. SAFETY HARBOR, Fla. (WFLA) A man who was shot during an encounter with Pinellas County deputies on Thursday afternoon has died, police say. Whether its a short vacation or theyre jetting off to begin their career, show the future traveler you care with a meaningful graduation gift. Please note the sheriff's office video shows the moment Bostick fell to the ground after being fatally shot. 2023, Charter Communications, all rights reserved. SPPD is leading the investigation into the shooting as part of the Pinellas County Deadly Force Task Force. Sergeant Jacob Viano and K-9 Corporal Matthew Aitken, with K-9 Taco, were chasing 23-year-old Zion Bostick, who was accused of trying to break into several cars. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. Example video title will go here for this video. Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gaultieri said detectives with the Pinellas County Use of Deadly Force Investigative Task Force are handling the investigation into the shooting. Officials said he is expected to be OK. His dog was not injured. According to Sheriff Bob Gualtieri, Bostik waited for the deputies to get closer before he began shooting. St. Petersburg Police Chief Anthony Holloway held a press conference about the incident, saying a resident called 911 to report that someone was breaking into vehicles. The video, which was blurred and edited by the agency, provides added context to the timeline of the shooting the sheriff's office previously released. Officials said Bostick didn't appear for a court hearing on March 7 for attempted burglary and driving with a suspended license charges. Holloway said two of the four deputies fired their weapons. Hes got a lot of medical issues. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. He got into his car. The video was released Thursday morning by Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri during a news conference. The sheriff said an arrangement was made for him to plead guilty. Holloway said at this time authorities don't believe the man fired at deputies. The Highway Patrol does not have a description of a suspect, it said, nor has it identified a reason for the shooting. [Photo illustration by ASHLEY DYE and BOYZELL HOSEY | Times], Tucker Carlson out at Fox News, network confirms, St. Petersburg police announce 69 arrests in street racing crackdown, Disney starts 2nd round of layoffs across theme parks, ESPN, Lightning look at Game 4 on home ice as must-win against Maple Leafs, DeSantis starts foreign trip with meetings with Japanese leaders. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Matthew Aitken and Sgt. I had zero time," Aitken said. Police say the man was waiting for them and fired several shots, hitting Aitken. He says a few seconds later, several law enforcement sped past his house. The shooting was reported just after 10 a.m. Wednesday in the area of 45th Street and 76th Avenue. PINELLAS PARK, Fla. A Pinellas Park apartment complex was evacuated Wednesday as police investigated a reported shooting. Family, police ask public's help in solving fatal I-4 road rage shooting. A shooting by Pinellas County deputies that killed a 43-year-old man was determined to be justifiable, the State Attorney's Office announced on Thursday. Officials said the suspect was "waiting" for deputies before firing at them. When I rounded the corner, [the suspect] already had the gun pointed on me. Its hard on everybody in the law enforcement community.". Deputies from the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office responded to reports of a shooting in the 8300 block of Ulmerton Road. "People need to see what bad guys like this do to good cops.". Immediately after seeing the weapon, shots fire out from four deputies' guns, totaling up to 59 rounds, the chief said. PLANT CITY, Fla. - The family of Elizabeth . LARGO A 19-year-old man faces two counts of first-degree murder in the stabbing deaths of two women, whom police say he followed home and attacked. Our operating expenses are not huge by any stretch of imagination but funds are necessary for our continued survival. Aitken and his K9 Taco as they tried to track down Bostick, officials said. TAMPA, Fla. - The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating a shooting that happened on Friday night. The deputy was struck three times. Think of it as just giving up just a couple of your favorite coffee drinks each month. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. "Luckily Taco's training, he did exactly what he was trained to do.". Clearwater Police Chief Daniel Slaughter explained during a news conference it was only until after the shooting it was revealed to be a BB gun with no pellets inside. As of Thursday afternoon, multiple law enforcement agencies are present in the area of Enterprise Rd E. & Philippe Pkwy. While the images are blurred, please use caution. Bostick then ducked back behind the home, leading Aitken and Taco to assume a pursuit. Sergeant Jacob Viano, 49, who was backing up the deputy, fired back, killing Bostick Officials said it happened in the Pinellas Park area in the 6300 block of 60th Avenue just before 7 p.m.. Those charges, Gualtieri said, include grand theft, drug crimes and crimes with guns, and Bostick has gone to state prison twice. Sheriff Gualtieri said the body camera footage will be released to the public after the investigation is complete. One person is dead after a shooting in St. Petersburg, the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office said Sunday. Sgt. 1 dead, 1 injured in Pinellas Park shooting Emily McCain 5:43 AM, Apr 18, 2023 Pinellas County Lawsuit claims Clearwater foster family abused children for nearly 30 years Vanessa Araiza 9:43. "The suspect was waiting for them and as the K9 and the handler cleared the building, that's when the suspect shot at the deputy," explained Chief Holloway. . PINELLAS PARK, Fla. Chilling moments captured on body camera video show the ending of a chase-turned-shootout that left a Pinellas County deputy injured and a 23-year-old man dead. Area residents reported hearing police vehicles speeding past their homes. Aitken and three shots at Sgt. Jacob Viano, who is a former K9 handler himself, managed to "duck out of the way," according to the sheriff's office. 2 bodycam views show suspect fire at deputies. The couple who lives in that home said they heard bullets flying everywhere and hunkered down in their bedroom. Largo police arrested Suzanne Mulalley, 61 . So, whether he was planning on committing suicide or whatever, but he did tell her that after he had already gotten involved in the altercation with her and with her child," Holloway said. "He decided he was going to kill two deputy sheriffs. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Officers tried to stop the car using stop sticks, but the suspect continued driving on deflated tires. At around 10:40 p.m., a Tampa man was traveling westbound on Interstate 4 near Branch Forbes Road with his 14-year-old daughter when their car was fired upon. "I remember everything up to the point when I saw a Bostik, he peeked out between houses and then went back the other way," Aitken recalled. "He went and confronted the guy. The family of 26-year-old Latoya Gay is suing the Tampa apartment complex where she was killed in a crossfire after a shooting broke out on Jan. 18. State Attorney Bruce Bartlett concluded in a letter that was sent to Sheriff Bob Gualtieri stating, "It is the conclusion of the State Attorney's Office that Deputy Smith, Detective Abbott, Corporal Hellstern, and Detective Flournoy shot and killed Robert Hubbard while in the performance of their legal duties, and the death constitutes a justifiable homicide under Florida Statutes 776.012.".
Categorias