Deputy Shooting Kills Knife-Wielding Tampa Man After Neighbor Dispute

TAMPA, FL — A knife-wielding man was shot and killed by Hillsborough County deputies Thursday night at a Camden Street apartment, authorities said Friday.

Officers responded around 9 p.m. to a dispute between neighbors at the Tampa home.

The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office said 47-year-old Jason Douglas Paul called 911 and said his neighbor assaulted him.

When deputies arrived, authorities accused Paul of behaving erratically and said he threatened to kill his neighbor.

As the threats continued, authorities said they chose to "Baker Act" Paul. The Baker Act, also known as the Florida Mental Health Act, allows people who may be experiencing mental illnesses to receive crisis services.

Paul was accused of going into the home and refusing to exit, though deputies requested he do so.

Deputies could see Paul through a window as he held a knife, authorities said. They added deputies then heard a screaming woman.

Authorities accused Paul of holding the woman at knifepoint in a bedroom, and out of fear for her safety, authorities said they broke a window and went into the home.

They entered the bedroom and gave multiple commands to Paul for him to drop the knife, authorities said. He refused, and a deputy shot and killed Paul, authorities said.

Deputies rendered aid to Paul, and he was taken to St. Joseph's Hospital, where he died of his injuries, authorities said.

"Our deputies sprang to action when confronted with a situation where someone's life was in immediate danger," Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister said in a news release. "Our deputies are trained to protect innocent lives, and that's what they did."

At a news conference, Hillsborough County Chief Deputy Joseph Maurer said the primary job of the sheriff's office is to ensure the safety of the community.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is overseeing the investigation.