SPRING HILL, FLA. — Two Hernando County deputies were shot Thursday morning while serving a search warrant at a Spring Hill home, but both have since been released from the hospital and are expected to be okay, according to the Hernando County Sheriff's Office.
The deputies were Sgt. Scott Lewis, an 11-year veteran, and Deputy Jonathon Allion, a K-9 deputy who has been with the sheriff's office for six years.
The deputies were serving a search warrant at a Coral Street home in the Berkeley Manor subdivision following a two-month investigation into suspected cocaine sales.
According to the sheriff’s office and body-worn camera video released by the agency, the SWAT team announced its presence using emergency lights, a PA system, and a flash bang grenade.
As deputies approached the front door, the sheriff's office says 29-year-old Anthony Cusati opened fire through the door, which struck the two deputies.
Lewis was shot twice. One round struck him in the chest, hitting his body camera, but his body armor stopped the bullet. Another round struck his upper thigh.
Allion suffered a gunshot wound to his forearm.
The SWAT team did not return fire because deputies could not see the shooter and knew other people were inside the home, according to Sheriff Al Nienhuis.
Nienhuis said Cusati was “very, very lucky” to survive the encounter.
“The suspect, he really needs to be thanking the good Lord, because by all accounts, he should have probably left in the body bag, so he’s very fortunate," Nienhuis said.
According to the Hernando County Sheriff's Office, Cusati was taken into custody and has been charged with 12 counts of attempted murder of a law enforcement officer, along with aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer, and other charges. Additional drug-related charges are expected as the investigation continues.
The sheriff's office also released body camera video showing the circumstances leading up to the shooting.
Kimberly Haack, a mom who lives nearby, said the shooting was especially concerning because of how close it happened to families and children. She said she hopes the suspect remains behind bars.
“It is a little scary, but I have faith that they will hopefully lock him up and put him away for a long time, because I don’t want my kids to not be able to go for a bike ride, play basketball,” Haack said.
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