A Pasco County deputy shot and killed a man behind a shopping plaza in Hudson on Friday afternoon after the suspect refused to drop a butcher knife. Deputies responded to a trespassing call at 12:28 p.m. regarding a man who was screaming and making threats in the Little Road area. When deputies located the suspect at 12:40 p.m., they found him holding a 7.5-inch knife and attempted verbal de-escalation multiple times without success. The deputy ordered the man to drop the knife six times before firing, resulting in the suspect’s death at the scene despite immediate medical treatment from emergency crews. The suspect has an extensive criminal history with 18 prior arrests and 11 felony convictions including violent offenses, and deputies have been placed on paid administrative leave per policy.
Key Points:
- Deputies responded to a trespassing call at 12:28 p.m. regarding a man screaming and making threats in the Little Road area of Hudson.
- The suspect was found holding a 7.5-inch butcher knife and refused to drop it after being ordered six times by deputies.
- The suspect has 18 prior arrests in Pasco County and 11 felony convictions including some violent offenses.
- Deputies who fired the rounds have been placed on paid administrative leave according to policy.
