Florida Man Fires BB Gun At Deputies Gets Shot: Sheriff

NEW PORT RICHEY, FL — As the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate a Monday night shooting involving two of its own, the agency has released more details about the case.

According to the sheriff’s office, Field Training Officer Cpl. Michael Barrow and his trainee, Deputy Dustin Ricker, were traveling along U.S. 19 around 7:40 p.m. July 3. As they headed southbound near Gulf Drive, they spotted a man on the sidewalk with what appeared to be a handgun, an email from the agency said.

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The deputies pulled over and attempted to confront Brad Lee Hero, 36, of Port Richey. The two deputies told Hero to drop the handgun, but he ignored them, the email said.

“Hero pointed the perceived handgun at Cpl. Barrow and then fired the perceived handgun at Dep. Riker, striking him above his right knee and causing a minor injury,” the email said.

Consequently, both deputies returned fire. Their shots hit “Hero several times in the legs,” the email said.

Hero’s handgun was later determined to be a BB gun, the sheriff’s office said.

Hero, a Port Richey resident, was hospitalized after the shooting. He was charged with aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer with a deadly weapon and aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer with a deadly weapon. The two charges carry a $60,000 bond amount combined, the sheriff’s office said.

Barrow has been employed by the sheriff’s office for six years. Riker has been a deputy for 6 months. Both are now out on paid administrative leave as the shooting is investigated.

Hero remained hospitalized on Tuesday. No further information is being released at this time.

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Booking photo of Brad Lee Hero from a 2014 arrest courtesy of the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office