Search Continues for Shooter Who Fired On Pasco Deputies

As tensions run high across the country in the wake of three recent law enforcement deaths, the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office is working to find out who is responsible for firing three shots at two of its deputies Sunday.

While neither deputy was injured, the sheriff’s office is taking the incident very seriously.

“These are criminals,” Sheriff Chris Nocco said during a press conference following the Sunday morning shooting incident. “These criminals are going to be brought to justice.”

The incident unfolded around 3:30 a.m. as two deputies were sitting in the parking lot of Northside Baptist Church on Lock Street in Dade City monitoring traffic. Both deputies reported hearing whizzing as three bullets were fired in their direction.

Once the deputies took cover, a search was launched to find the person or people responsible. While no suspects were immediately found, residents of the area reported seeing a small, dark-colored car with tinted windows.

Crime Stoppers of Tampa Bay is now offering a $3,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest or arrests in the case.

Anxiety is High

The shooting came one day after law enforcement officers from all over the Tampa Bay area and beyond gathered to pay final respects to Tarpon Springs Police Officer Charles Kondek. He was killed Dec. 21 while responding to a routine noise complaint. Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office detectives say Kondek, 45, was shot and then run over by a car before succumbing to his injuries.

His death came on the heels of the fatal shooting of two New York City police officers.

“The anxiety level is extremely high with our families,” Nocco said. “This is an emotional time for law enforcement. When you wake up the day after a funeral and you’re finding out deputies are being shot at you wonder what’s going on with our society.”

Nocco also thanked Pasco County residents for their continued support of law enforcement and acknowledged the tensions are just with a few select individuals.

“(There) are a few out there that are causing the problems and those few will be dealt with very swiftly,” he said.

As of Monday morning, sheriff’s office spokesman Eddie Daniels Jr. said no arrests had been made in the shooting case.

To report tips, call 1-800-873-TIPs or visit www.crimestoppersTB.com. Tips may also be texted by sending “CSTB and your tip” to 274637.

Pasco deputies are also investigating a threat against law enforcement made in the Wesley Chapel area. In that case, someone spray painted a road barrier at the end of Mansfield Road in Meadow Point to read “Shoot MP Cop.” That incident took place sometime between 2 and 7 p.m. on Friday.

Anyone with information in the graffiti case is asked to contact the sheriff’s office at 727-847-8102 or 1-800-706-2488 or via the sheriff’s office’s online tip form.

There’s a $3,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.

See Also:

• Shots Fired on Pasco Deputies
• Reward Offered in Pasco Shooting Case

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