Hillsborough deputy fatally shoots man who pulled gun during traffic stop, officials say
In a tense confrontation during a traffic stop on Saturday night, a Hillsborough County deputy fatally shot a man who displayed a firearm. The incident took place around 9:15 p. m. on West Hillsborough Avenue in Tampa, initiated due to the man's obscured license tag. Deputy Jared Mincemeyer approached the vehicle and requested to see the man's hands; however, the situation escalated when the man reached for a gun as he exited the vehicle.
Sheriff Chad Chronister stated that the deputy was fulfilling his duty to protect the community when he was forced to respond to a deadly threat. Following the shooting, the man was rushed to St. Joseph’s Hospital but was pronounced dead shortly after arrival. The identity of the deceased has not been released pending notification of next of kin. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is currently investigating the incident, and the sheriff's office plans to share body camera footage once it is available.
This incident raises significant concerns about police encounters and the safety of both law enforcement and civilians in traffic-related situations.