PASCO COUNTY, FLA. — Two Pasco County deputies were injured by projectiles after a suspect shot at them at a Wesley Chapel apartment complex, officials said.
Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco said the suspect, Henry Josena, 29, had missed a court date for lewd and lascivious charges and several bondsmen were serving a warrant for his arrest at the Enclave at Wesley Chapel apartment complex.
When the bondsmen entered the apartment, Josena started firing rounds at them, hitting and severely injuring one of them, Nocco said.
When deputies arrived on scene, they grabbed law enforcement shields. The deputies then instructed Josena to come outside. Instead, his brother came, but deputies realized it was not Josena.
So, deputies began to make their way down the hallway. And that’s when they took fire from the Josena.
“Thank God Almighty, that shield was there,” Nocco said. “They had the equipment. Those rounds, unfortunately, the projectiles deflected off of it. Two of them (deputies) were hurt. Very minor injuries. Thank God Almighty, because of that shield.”
Josena had a hostage, who said they were not being harmed.
Deputies began to fire pepperball gas into the apartment and heard coughing. After some time, they didn’t hear anything from the suspect.
Josena took his own life, Nocco said.
No deputies returned fire, Nocco noted.
The deputies who were hit by the projectiles suffered minor injuries and were in good spirits Nocco said.
“It just shows the hard work and dedication of the deputies. They did an unbelievable job,” Nocco added.
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