Crime & Safety

Authorities Investigate Deputy-Involved Shooting In Ruskin

Deputies responded to a 911 call about a man seen with a gun knocking on doors and ringing doorbells in a residential area.

RUSKIN, FL - An armed 49-year-old man was shot by a Hillsborough County Sheriff's deputy Wednesday after he refused commands to drop his weapon. The man suffered non-life-threatening injuries. The deputy was not injured.

Deputies responded to a 911 call about a man seen with a gun knocking on doors and ringing doorbells in a residential area around 10 a.m. at 11946 Greenchop Place. The man, later identified as Guy Russell McDonald, 49, left the area in a van before deputies arrived.

He and a female passenger were later located in a field behind the neighborhood. Soon after coming in contact with McDonald, he exited the van with a gun in hand and refused multiple commands to drop his weapon. Deputy Mijail Sequeira fired at and struck McDonald one time.The female passenger, who has not been identified yet, was transported to a local area hospital for conditions not related to the incident.

Find out what's happening in Brandonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

McDonald was airlifted to Tampa General Hospital where he was treated for his injuries and was later discharged. He was interviewed by detectives before being transported to Orient Road Jail. McDonald was charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm.

McDonald is a registered sex offender in North Carolina and Pennsylvania and has prior criminal charges which include, crimes against children, larceny and burglaries. Sequeira was placed on routine administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.

Find out what's happening in Brandonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Image via Shutterstock

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

More from Brandon