Wellness Check Turns Into Deputy-Involved Shooting At Riverview Neighborhood

RIVERVIEW, FL — A Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office deputy shot and killed an 88-year-old man inside his Riverview home when she feared for her life during a wellness check, the sheriff's department said in a news release.

A neighbor who had become concerned about seeing a home's garage door open for two days in the 12000 block of Longcrest Drive, Riverview requested officers conduct a wellness check on Ronald Ehrich, who lived in the home.

Deputy Anastacia Castillo went to the house at 7:30 a.m., and saw an open door that led to the inside of the house. She searched many rooms inside. Castillo found Ehrich in an upstairs bedroom. Ehrich allegedly threatened to shoot Castillo as he held a gun. She went into a nearby bedroom. Ehrich cornered her, police said.

"After stating she was with the Sheriff's Office and making several commands to drop the gun, in fear of her life, the deputy fired her HCSO issued firearm," detectives said. Medical staff at St. Joseph's Hospital pronounced Ehrich dead.

Castillo has been with the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office since 2015 and does not have any previous history of use of deadly force, deputies said.

“There is no other way to describe this other than tragic,” Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister said. “This deputy went in to save a life, expecting to find someone experiencing a medical emergency. She made every attempt to deescalate the situation before being forced to fire her weapon for her own safety.”

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement will be investigating this incident.

The shooting happened on Longcrest Drive just before 7:30 a.m., the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office said.

There is no threat to the public, according to deputies. Sheriff Chad Chronister will give an update later Tuesday about the shooting. Patch will keep you updated.

Original Patch Story:

Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister and his team of deputies are at a police officer-involved shooting in a Riverview neighborhood Tuesday morning, the department said in a tweet.

No other detail are available. This is a developing story. Patch will keep you updated.