DADE CITY – The Pasco Sheriff’s Office is investigating a deputy-involved shooting June 10 in the Rose Avenue area that resulted in the death of 25-year-old Cristian Javier Estrada Perez.
Deputies were trying to serve an ex parte order issued by a court at the request of Perez’s family due to threats he made to them, according to the sheriff’s office. Col. Tait Sanborn said deputies had to take Perez into custody for a mental health evaluation and previously attempted to serve the order on June 5, 6 and 9.
“Deputies were made aware by family members that the subject was known to carry a firearm,” Sanborn said, noting there were around seven deputies on the scene trying to safely take him into custody.
Deputies were there around 8:25 p.m. and attempted to communicate with Perez from the outside but he did not respond.
“They were able to open a door and make visual contact with the subject, where they again made multiple attempts to ask him to come out to begin to have a conversation with him,” Sanborn said.
Deputies eventually warned Perez that they would be deploying chemical agents inside the house. Then they deployed pepper balls.
“They waited for a period of time, giving him additional opportunities to create a dialogue or exit the residence,” Sanborn said. “His response was to fire four rounds from a firearm, which we later learned he had strapped to his hand, so it could not be released.”
Deputies returned fire, hitting Perez. He died on the scene. No deputies were injured.
In keeping with protocol, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement will investigate the deputy-involved shooting and the two deputies who fired the rounds have been placed on paid administrative leave.
The sheriff’s office said this was an isolated incident with no threat to public safety.
