The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is looking into a deputy-involved shooting in Brandon, which occurred yesterday morning. The scene unfolded when Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office deputies responded to reports of a man brandishing an assault rifle while dressed in military tactical gear, as detailed in a press release from the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office.
At 7:24 a.m. that day, HCSO received calls about Vincent Tyler Morin, a 34-year-old man seen on Windingwood Avenue and Providence Road, who then proceeded north towards Causeway Boulevard. Deputies arriving at the scene issued multiple commands for Morin to drop his weapon, which he ignored. Ultimately, at 7:38 a.m., shots were fired by three deputies. Morin received immediate aid from the deputies and was transported to a local hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
The shooting incident involved three HCSO deputies: Lieutenant William Gergel, a 35-year veteran of the force, Deputy Matthew Fluck with just over a year's service, and Deputy Courtney Baldwin who has served for six months. None of the deputies had a history of prior use of force incidents. Following standard procedure, they have been placed on administrative leave with pay while the investigation continues.
In a statement obtained by the HCSO, Sheriff Chad Chronister weighed in, saying, "This was an extremely dangerous situation for our community. An individual armed with an assault rifle and dressed in tactical gear posed a real and immediate threat. Our deputies acted quickly and decisively to protect lives and prevent further danger. Their actions reflect the bravery and commitment we ask of them every day."
