Man In Stolen Jeep Shoots At Deputy 8 Times Before Fleeing

TAMPA, FL — The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office is searching for a person who fired multiple shots at a deputy early Sunday morning.

During a news conference, Chief Deputy Donna Lusczynski said Deputy Geovanny Rodriguez, 29, stopped a silver Jeep Grand Cherokee that had no tag at 4:46 a.m. near the intersection of 43rd Street and Skipper Road.

Before the deputy could get out of his vehicle, the driver fired at him at least eight times, striking the sheriff's vehicle.

The shots missed Rodriguez, who fired back at the shooter as he drove away.

Lusczynski said the shooter abandoned the Jeep on Skipper Road.

“Although we conduct a lot of traffic stops, it’s one of the most dangerous things we do because we don’t know who we’re coming in contact with, what they just may have done a few minutes earlier, and this situation just shows how dangerous the job is for law enforcement,” Lusczynski said.

She said the Jeep was stolen by gunpoint in the Brandon area on Wednesday.

"We are just thankful our deputy is safe today," said Luczynski. "This type of violence towards our deputies will not be tolerated in our community. We are asking anyone with any information to please come forward."

Lusczynski said Rodriguez is on administrative leave, a requirement following a shooting.

There is no description of the shooter but he is considered armed and dangerous. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office at 813-247-8200.