DADE CITY, Fla. (WFLA) — Pasco County deputies fatally shot a man while attempting to serve a court order to bring him in for a mental health evaluation, according to officials on Tuesday.
The shooting happened around 8:30 p.m. at a home near Rose Avenue in Dade City.
PCSO Colonel Tait Sanborn stated that deputies had made several visits to the residence since June 4, following requests from the family of Cristian Javier Estrada Perez, 25, for an evaluation due to his “erratic behavior.”
It was not until June 10 that deputies were able to make contact with Javier, as they spotted him within the home. Sanborn noted that a total of seven deputies were present at the scene.
Authorities asked Javier to come out of the home multiple times, but Sanborn said Perez refused. The sheriff’s office had previously been warned that Javier was known to carry a firearm.
Sanborn said deputies warned Javier that chemicals would be deployed inside the house, and it was around that time that Javier fired four shots at them.
Officials said Javier was using a firearm that they later learned was strapped to his hand.
Two deputies returned fire, shooting and killing Javier.
No further details were immediately available. Sanborn said the investigation will be turned over to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for further review.
This is a developing story. Stay up to date on the latest from News Channel 8 on-air and on the go with the free WFLA News Channel 8 mobile app.
