Pinellas Sheriff's Corporal Shot 3 Times While Pursuing Wanted Felon

PINELLAS PARK, FL — A Pinellas County sheriff's corporal is recovering after getting shot three times while a wanted felon who was burglarizing cars in Pinellas Park Sunday night.

During a news conference Monday, St. Petersburg Police Chief Anthony Holloway, who is heading the Pinellas County Deadly Use of Force Task Force investigation into the deputy-involved shooting, said the sheriff's office was called to 60th Avenue North and 64th Street North in Pinellas Park around 6:50 p.m. after a neighbor reported someone attempting to burglarize cars in the area.

According to Holloway, sheriff's Cpl. Matt Aitken spotted 23-year-old Zion Bostick at a nearby church and, along with his K-9 partner, Taco, chased him through the neighborhood and over multiple fences.

But then Bostick turned the tables on the Aitken. Armed with a 9 mm handgun, Holloway said he ambushed Aitken in a back yard, shooting Aitken three times.

Holloway said sheriff's Sgt. Jake Viano was working in the area and joined the pursuit. Bostick also shot at Viano three times but missed. Viano ducked for cover and returned fire, killing the shooter, Holloway said.

"We were very fortunate Sgt. Viano, a former K-9 handler, was working in the area because the outcome, in my mind, would have been unquestionably different if Sgt. Viano hadn't been there," Pinellas Sheriff Bob Gualtieri said. "As Chief Holloway said, the bad guy really ambushed Cpl. Aitken and, when he went down, Sgt. Viano was able to fire and kill the bad guy. We'd be talking about a dead deputy if things had changed just slightly."

Holloway said there was a warrant out for Bostick's arrest for missing a court hearing last week. He said Bostick had previously been arrested 18 times for 34 felonies including grand theft, possession of drugs and armed crimes, and served time in state prison twice, the first time when he was 17 years old. Bostick was released from prison a year ago Sunday.

"He was looking at a possible five years in prison," Holloway said. "He told his mom that he would not go back to prison."

In addition to the 9-mm handgun, Holloway said they also found a .380 handgun in Bostick's pocket that was stolen from a car in 2018 and ammunition in his backpack.

Aitken, who was shot in the neck, hand and leg, was taken to Bayfront Health where he underwent surgery Monday morning and is reported in stable condition, according to Pinellas Sheriff Bob Gualtieri.

Gualtieri said Aitken has been with the sheriff's office since 2006, has been a K-9 handler for 12 years and a corporal since 2018.

Viano and Taco were not injured.