Update: Deputy Shoots Man Armed with Machete

The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office is investigating a shooting involving one of its deputies. Detectives say Sgt. Christopher Metro shot 26 year-old Bradley James Gaus when Gaus threatened the sergeant with a machete during a traffic stop. 

It happened around 1:25 a.m. at the Shoppes of Boot Ranch Plaza at 500 East Lake Rd. Sgt. Metro saw Gaus driving recklessly in a red Mitsubishi Eclipse near Tampa Rd. and East Lake Rd. Metro followed Gaus into the parking lot of the Shoppes at Boot Ranch Plaza, where Gaus continued to drive recklessly before coming to a final stop.

Gaus got out of his car armed with a machete and Sgt. Metro ordered him to drop the weapon several times, but Gaus began to move toward the Sergeant with the machete in his hand, according to investigators.

Gaus told Sgt. Metro that he was going to have to shoot him and continued to move toward the sergeant.  Sgt. Metro then defended himself by firing his gun, striking Gaus three times.

Gaus was airlifted to Bayfront Medical Center where he is in serious condition with life threatening injuries. He is charged with aggravated assault of a law enforcement officer.

Sgt. Metro is on paid administrative leave, which is standard procedure. He has worked for the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office for 20 years.