A knife-wielding man was shot by Pasco County deputies after he attempted to break into a gun store in New Port Richey yesterday morning. According to WFLA, Scott Youmans, 38, was observed trying to smash the window of the gun store with a metal sign around 8:14 a.m. on Little Road.
Upon deputies' arrival, Youmans, who had a knife, began to charge towards them, leading the officers to fire both lethal and nonlethal rounds at him. Sheriff Chris Nocco explained during a press conference that after being shot and tased, Youmans "looked up at the deputies and said 'thank you,'" an interaction WFLA reported. The deputies then rendered aid and placed Youmans into handcuffs before he was transported for surgery.
The incident, which occurred along the southbound side of Little Road blocked traffic for several hours between Citizens Drive and Massachusetts Avenue, according to FOX 13 News. Sheriff Nocco credited his deputies for their efforts to deescalate prior to the shooting, stating, "I want to give our deputies a lot of credit. They were doing everything in their power to deescalate the situation."
It has been revealed by the sheriff that Youmans has an extensive history of mental health issues, which seemed to surface during the confrontation. “There is a clear line that connects mental health and violence. What the subject did today was tie that knot extremely close together," Nocco was quoted as saying by FOX 13 News. Youmans is expected to face charges, including attempted burglary and aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement has taken over the investigation, which is standard following such shootings.
The three deputies involved in the shooting have been placed on leave, a standard procedure in incidents of this nature, as per details shared by Sheriff Nocco and reported by Tampa Bay Times. Further information regarding the deputies' return to duty will likely follow the conclusion of the investigation.
