New Port Richey Man Accused Of Shooting Deputy Dies

NEW PORT RICHEY, FL -- The New Port Richey man accused of shooting at deputies on June 8, seriously injuring one deputy, has died.

The Pasco County Sheriff's Office reported Wednesday that Terrance J. Peterson Jr., 62, succumbed to an injury to his head. The sheriff's office has not said if the wound was self-inflicted or if it occurred during the gunfire.

Peterson's adult daughter called 911 at 12:25 a.m. Saturday to report that her parents were fighting and her father had shot an Amazon Alexa. When deputies arrived at the home in the 7300 block of Humboldt Avenue off Seven Springs Boulevard and State Road 54, Peterson's wife left the house but Peterson barricaded himself inside and refused to come out. The daughter had already left the home.

Deputies waited about an hour and then tried to enter the home to speak to Peterson. That's when Peterson opened fire, according to the sheriff.

Deputies retreated and sent a robotic device equipped with a video camera into the house to locate Peterson. When Peterson was found, deputies launched a tear gas canister into the home and apprehended Peterson, who was found with a head injury.

Peterson was taken to the hospital in critical condition.

During the gunfire, Pasco County Sheriff's Deputy Christopher Stone, 41, a two-year veteran of the sheriff's office, was shot in the thigh, perforating the femoral artery. A bullet also grazed the hand of another deputy.

Deputies and a neighbor, former firefighter Bill Ricci, applied a tourniquet to Stone's leg to prevent him from bleeding out. Sheriff Chris Nocco believes their quick actions saved the deputy's life. Stone underwent surgery and is continuing to recover at the hospital.

Related story: Update: Pasco Deputy Nearly Loses Life In Shooting