The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office said a traffic stop led to a deputy-involved shooting on Saturday night in Tampa.
At 9:15 p.m. on Saturday, deputies made the traffic stop for an obscured tag on West Hillsborough Avenue and Elliot Drive in Tampa.
Deputy Jared Mincemeyer, 26, approached the vehicle and asked to see the man's hands, according to body-worn camera footage.
The sheriff's office said the driver was compliant at first.
"However, it quickly turned when he grabbed for a firearm at the right of his seat...when he did this, he exited the vehicle with the firearm at which point our deputy retreated and began to fire multiple rounds at the suspect," said Col. Nikki Bosley with the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office.
On Sunday, the sheriff's office released body camera footage from a deputy and an undercover deputy.
The suspect's face is blurred since the next of kin has not been notified. The sheriff's office said once the notification is complete, the sheriff's office will release his identity.
The driver was taken to St. Joseph's Hospital and was pronounced dead.
"Our deputy was simply doing his job trying to protect our community when he was forced to defend himself against an armed individual," said Hillsborough Sheriff Chad Chronister. "No deputy ever wants to face this situation, but when confronted with a deadly threat, they must act to protect themselves and others. Our deputies put their lives on the line every day to keep our community safe. It's unfortunate when criminals make choices that lead to fatal outcomes."
Mincemeyer has no prior use of force. He has been with the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office since October of 2022.
"This is a stark reminder there is no routine traffic stop in law enforcement," Bosley said.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating the shooting which is standard protocol.
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