Hudson Man Dies After Gun Battle With Pasco Deputies: Sheriff

HUDSON, FL - After a gun battle on a street near an elementary school, Pasco County sheriff's deputies shot a 30-year-old Hudson man who had been firing at officers, Sheriff Chris Nocco said at a late Thursday afternoon press conference. During the shootout, Gulf Highlands Elementary was placed on lockdown but the school was not affected by the gunfire.

Nocco identified the shooter as Brian Disario, 30, who has a history of mental illness and collected guns. Before the shootout with deputies, Disario shot a man who he believed was “messing with his girlfriend.” Nocco said that, in reality, Disario does not have a girlfriend. The shooting victim was a friend of Disario's mother. The victim has not been identified pending notification of next of kin.

Deputies closed down part of State Road 52 near Meadow Drive after reports of a shooting in a home in the Gulf Highlands subdivision of Hudson.

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About 2:45 p.m. Thursday, the shooting victim was in Disario’s garage where Disario confronted the victim and shot him. The victim was not immediately killed, so Disario went back into the house and got another gun and shot the victim again. Disario's mother and her boyfriend ran to a neighbor's house.

Meanwhile. the school was placed on lockdown due to the shooter being in the road and pointing a gun at the school, Nocco said. He said deputies arrived on scene and heard gunshots.

Nocco said the suspect was in the middle of the street and deputies exchanged gunfire with him. He said there was a gun battle in the street with the suspect getting behind a vehicle and continuing to shoot.

Disario eventually ran into his house. Deputies followed and found the shooting victim, who had died. No deputies were injured.

Deputies began negotiating with Disario and later a robot went in, finding the suspect dead. Nocco said it is not known if the suspect shot himself.

"I thank God the deputies and kids are safe," Nocco said. “We are fortunate this occurred before school let out.”

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