Man In Tactical Gear With Assault Rifle Shot, Killed By FL Deputy

BRANDON, FL — A man wearing tactical gear and carrying an assault rifle Wednesday morning in Brandon was fatally shot by a deputy, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.

The agency received multiple calls about a man with “a large assault rifle” in the area of Windingwood Avenue and Providence Road just before 7:30 a.m.

When deputies arrived, they located Vincent Tyler Morin, 34, walking north on Providence Road towards the Causeway Boulevard intersection, the sheriff’s office said.

As the deputies approached Morin, they immediately gave him several commands to put down the weapon, which were ignored. At 7:38 a.m., three HCSO deputies fired multiple shots at the suspect, the agency said.

Deputies rendered aid to Morin on scene, and he was transported to a local hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

The deputies involved in the incident include:

• Lieutenant William Gergel, who has been with HCSO for 35 years and has no prior use of force.
• Deputy Matthew Fluck, who has been with HCSO for one year and one month and has no prior use of force.
• Deputy Courtney Baldwin has been with HCSO for six months and has no prior use of force.

All three have been placed on administrative leave with pay pending completion of the investigation.

"This was an extremely dangerous situation for our community. An individual armed with an assault rifle and dressed in tactical gear posed a real and immediate threat," Sheriff Chad Chronister said. "Our deputies acted quickly and decisively to protect lives and prevent further danger. Their actions reflect the bravery and commitment we ask of them every day."