In a recent incident in Hillsborough County, Florida, law enforcement officers were met with a dangerous situation when they encountered a suspect hiding in a shed. The encounter escalated into a deputy-involved shooting, leaving the suspect critically injured.

According to reports, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office received information about a suspect, identified as 35-year-old Duane Davis, who was hiding in a shed on McIntosh Road in Dover. Body camera footage released by the Sheriff’s Office captured the tense moments leading up to the shooting.

Deputies and a K-9 unit were seen searching the shed, where Davis was discovered hiding underneath a bean bag. The footage shows Davis pointing a handgun at the deputies before dropping it and reaching for another firearm. Faced with an imminent threat, deputies were forced to open fire in self-defense.

Sheriff Chad Chronister stated that Davis was armed with an assault-style AR-15 rifle with double magazines, which he attempted to reach for during the encounter. Despite being struck several times by gunfire, Davis remains in critical condition.

The deputies involved in the shooting, who have been with the Sheriff’s Office for over 20 years, had no prior use-of-force incidents. The incident unfolded during a community policing effort in the area, as deputies were searching for Davis in connection with a previous shooting incident.

Davis’ girlfriend provided inconsistent information about his whereabouts, but it was discovered that the shed had been locked from the outside, possibly to prevent anyone from discovering him. The deputies’ quick response to the threat highlights the challenges law enforcement officers face in ensuring public safety while confronting armed suspects.

The investigation into the incident is ongoing, as authorities work to determine the circumstances surrounding the shooting.