A Pasco County sheriff’s deputy was shot on March 9 after a man suspected of shooting two people pulled a gun on him, Sheriff Chris Nocco said. The incident occurred around noon at Davista Avenue and Sawtell Street in New Port Richey. A man and woman, who have not yet been identified by the sheriff’s office, were using tools to clear a lot of land when the suspect, Aaron Rodriguez, 32, got irate and upset and started yelling at the victims.
The suspect, Rodriguez, shot the man, who then collapsed at the intersection, Nocco said. The woman was also shot and started running away from Rodriguez. Fire rescue arrived and took her to the hospital. The man who was shot died at the scene. When deputies arrived, they found Rodriguez inside the garage of a house across from the lot of land. Three deputies, one with a K-9, started approaching the house. The K-9 deputy saw the suspect holding a gun, Nocco said. Deputies told Rodriguez to drop the gun, and he didn’t. The deputy fell to the ground and put a tourniquet on. The other two deputies continued to engage with Rodriguez, and he was shot. Both the deputy, who is expected to be OK, and Rodriguez were taken to the hospital.
Originally reported by Suncoast News – New Port Richey
Sources: Suncoast News – New Port Richey
