FL Man Who Shot Woman Killed After Firing At Law Enforcement: Video

WESLEY CHAPEL, FL — A deputy-involved shooting is under investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement after a man was fatally shot after shooting a woman and then shooting at law enforcement officers in Hillsborough and Pasco counties.

"What we're about to describe to you sounds like the plot of a big action movie," said Hillsborough Sheriff Chad Chronister during a news conference. "The sad reality is everything we're about to tell you is true and that several communities were victimized because of this bad guy this evening."

Deputies learned that the incident began in Hernando County at 1:41 a.m. when the woman got into a domestic dispute with Eric Blaszczyk, 37, and told him that she was going to drive to Wesley Chapel to pick up their child from her parents' home on Tall Grass Drive.

At 2:14 a.m., the woman called the Pasco sheriff's office after Blaszczyk showed up at her parents' home. While the woman was on the phone with the dispatcher, the dispatcher heard screaming and shots fired.

Pasco deputies arrived at the home just as Blazczyk was fleeing the scene and fired shots at deputies. The victim was subsequently taken to the hospital for surgery for gunshot injuries.

Pasco deputies lost track of Blazczyk but his car was spotted by another Pasco deputy who pursued the man into Hillsborough County where the Hillsborough deputies and Florida Highway Patrol troopers joined the chase.

The car chase ended when Blazczyk crashed into a retention pond.

"He's able to get out of his car and as he's running across the street and law enforcement is closing in, he begins firing at law enforcement as they're yelling multiple times to drop the gun," Chronister said, noting that Hillsborough and Pasco deputies as well as Tampa police and state troopers were involved in the attempt to apprehend the man. "He ignores these commands and this gunfire exchange begins. For almost four minutes, this gunfire exchange occurs which is a very long time in law enforcement."

Chronister said Blazczyk continued fleeing, running behind a business complex where law enforcement found him on the ground after being shot. Paramedics provided aid and transferred Blazczyk to Tampa General Hospital where he died.

In all, a trooper, two Pasco deputies and one Hillsborough deputy fired at Blazczyk. All have been placed on administrative leave with pay while the FDLE investigates the shooting.

"We're proud of the collaborative effort of the responding agencies to ensure that this individual did not further victimize our community," said Pasco Sheriff Chris Nocco. "There will be consequences if you shoot at deputies or commit domestic violence.

Blaszczyk was previously charged with 54 felonies and had at least 31 convictions before Saturday's shooting. He spent four years in Florida State Prison for burglary.

The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office released a body-worn video of the chase. Hillsborough County Deputy Nathan Vandam can be seen arriving at the scene and ducking for cover behind a sheriff's SUV as Blaszczyk shot at deputies. Chronister said Vandam returned fire during a "long and tense situation where his and other law enforcement officials' lives are threatened."

If you or someone you know is the victim of domestic violence, contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline is 1-800-799-SAFE.