After Gun Battle With Deputies, Pasco Shooting Suspect Committed Suicide: Medical Examiner

PORT RICHEY - The shooting suspect who got in a gun battle with Pasco deputies last week committed suicide, according to a preliminary report released Monday by the Medical Examiner’s Office.

Brian Disario, 30, exchanged gunfire with deputies on Thursday in the Gulf Highlands neighborhood near an elementary school. During the shootout, Gulf Highlands Elementary was placed on lockdown but the school was not affected by the gunfire.

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The Pasco Sheriff's Office responded to an active shooting scene at the residence at 11605 Constance Ave in Port Richey. Witnesses said Disario had shot and killed victim, David James Armstrong, 56, at the home’s garage and was also shooting a gun in the street which lead to a standoff with two deputies, Nick Carmack and Michael Sudler. The deputies involved in the standoff are on administrative leave, as standard protocol, the sheriff’s office said.

The sheriff's office said Disario had a Core 15 CXV AR-15 rifle and an unknown make/model .22 caliber rifle. There were no markings on the .22 rifle to help identify it, deputies said. It is not known how how he obtained the firearms, but the sheriff's office is working with ATF to see if any more information can be obtained.

Disario had a history of mental illness and collected guns, Sheriff Chris Nocco said at a press conference last week. Before the shootout with deputies, Disario shot Armstrong who he believed was “messing with his girlfriend.” Nocco said that, in reality, Disario does not have a girlfriend. Armstrong was a friend of Disario's mother.

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

Nocco said Desario was in the middle of the street when deputies exchanged gunfire with him. Disario eventually ran into his house. Deputies followed and found the shooting victim, who had died. No deputies were injured.

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