PASCO COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) – A hit-and-run suspect has been captured in Zephyrhills after a Florida manhunt that resulted in an off-duty officer being shot.
Pasco deputies say the hit-and-run crash happened Wednesday morning and was witnessed by an off-duty reserve officer for the Tampa Police Department. The officer followed the suspect after the crash to confront him.
“There was a brief verbal altercation that became a physical altercation,” a deputy said during a news conference. “During that time, the officer drew his firearm and as the altercation continued and they continued to wrestle around, the officer inadvertently discharged his firearm into his shoulder.”
Deputies initially believed the hit-and-run suspect shot the off-duty officer but later determined the officer accidentally shot himself. The officer was taken to a local hospital and is expected to be okay.
The hit-and-run suspect left the scene after the shot was fired but was later caught.
TRENDING STORIES
Circus promoters chained son to bath, filmed him starving to death, deputies say
Florida Florida man attacks Burger King Florida manager after being denied free fries
WATCH: Irate mom swerves in front of school bus in Brandon so daughter can board
Deputies searching for missing infant and mother
Tampa strip club owner, Joe Redner, loses in medical marijuana lawsuit
Necklace filled with ashes found at Siesta Key, search for owner underway
WATCH: Service dog graduates college with owner
Hurricane supplies you can buy tax-free during Florida sales tax holiday
