RIVERVIEW, Fla. -- Last Thursday, 5-year-old husky mix “Vader” was shot twice in his front yard by a security guard with Critical Intervention Services.
ABC Action News talked with Vader’s owner, Kelley Hill, at her home before she attended a board meeting where residents demanded the community get rid of armed guards.
“I want them to get rid of the security company,” Hill said. “We didn’t know that they carry guns; why do they need guns? They can’t do anything they will have to call the sheriff if there is a real problem. They allow those people we don’t know who they are, how are they vetted? Does he not like dogs? We don’t know anything it seems very excessive to shoot someone’s pet from such a far distance.”
Reporter Michael Paluska tried to attend a board meeting where residents gathered to voice their concerns about the shooting. An attorney for Summerfield Master Community Association told us to leave, or he would wait for law enforcement to remove us from the property. We immediately complied and left without incident.
The HOA referred all of our questions regarding the shooting the chief of Critical Intervention Services, Hector Rodriguez. Rodriguez attended the meeting, and despite multiple calls to his office and phone for comment, we have not heard back.
Hill said the veterinarian told them Vader was not shot at close range. Hill said that makes the security guard’s version of what happened that night questionable.
“There’s no growling or barking. There wasn’t. We have witnesses that say that. The bullets didn’t do as much damage as they should’ve done if it would’ve been at close range,” Hills said. “And the blood doesn’t start until halfway up the driveway. It just doesn’t all add up."
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office says investigation is ongoing. A public information officer told us the guard claimed Vader ran towards him and he was getting attacked.
After the four bullets were fired, Hill said her boyfriend David Zimmerman -- who let Vader out that morning -- grabbed his gun. Hill said Zimmerman initially thought someone was shooting at him, so he tried to protect himself.
“He just saw someone with a gun shooting,” Hill said. “We are getting security cameras because we are afraid this thing might happen again. It is a really sweet, wonderful place to live. It is a sad thing when you have to put security cameras on your house because of the security company that’s terrible.”
Homeowners said they were able to voice their concerns about the security company at the meeting.
Hill said board members said they would reevaluate their contract with Critical Intervention Services when their contract expires in October.
The security guard has been removed from working in Summerfield and South Cove communities.
