Ruskin Cocaine Sting Shooting: Suspect Names Released

RUSKIN, FL — An undercover narcotics operation in Ruskin took a violent turn Tuesday night when a man allegedly pulled a gun on a detective, prompting a chain-reaction that would ultimately lead to gunfire on both sides and the injury of two suspects.

According to Col. Donna Lusczynski, undercover deputies made arrangements to meet with two men outside the 3725 Sun City Center Blvd. Wendy’s around 5 p.m. Dec. 6 to purchase cocaine. While the negotiations were ongoing, one of the suspects allegedly pulled a gun and pointed it at a deputy.

That deputy’s backup realized the danger and moved onto the scene in a SUV, Lusczynski said. At that time, one of the suspects fired several rounds. Deputies returned fire, she said, wounding both men.

After the exchange of gunfire, the two men took off in their vehicle. One was captured about two miles away, but the other fled.

The sheriff’s office said the man captured on the scene was taken to a local hospital in critical condition. The second suspect ultimately turned himself at Brandon Regional Hospital, where he was being treated for injuries that are not considered life threatening, Lusczynski said.

No deputies were injured in the shooting. The names of the six deputies involved are not being released because of their undercover status. They have all been placed on routine administrative leave pending a review of the shooting by the Hillsborough County State Attorney’s Office.

The names of the suspects were released just before 12:30 p.m. Dec. 7. According to the sheriff's office, Efren Esparza-Lopez, 19, of Ruskin is the man who turned himself in at Brandon Regional Hospital. He was treated, released and then booked into the Orient Road Jail. Esparza-Lopez was charged with four counts of attempted murder on a law enforcement officer, armed robbery with a firearm, delivery of a controlled substance, sale of cocaine and possession of cocaine, among other counts.

The second man has been identified as Luis F. Gutierrez, 20, also of Ruskin. He remained at Tampa General Hospital Wednesday with life-threatening injuries. Deputies say charges remain pending against Gutierrez.

Photos of the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office’s bullet-damaged SUV and booking photo of Efren Esparza-Lopez courtesy of the sheriff's office