A recent incident in Hudson, Florida, involving a deputy trying to apprehend a suspect has garnered attention due to its tragic outcome. The Pasco Sheriff's Office shared details of the incident, which occurred on a Saturday evening around 5:30 p.m. The suspect in question was identified as 40-year-old Paul Smith, who was wanted for domestic battery by strangulation.
According to body camera footage released by the sheriff's office, the deputy approached Smith at a gas station and repeatedly asked him to step out of his car. Smith's response was to quickly sit in the driver's seat, asking what the problem was before starting the car and attempting to flee.
The situation escalated as Smith began driving recklessly with the deputy hanging onto the car's open door. Despite the deputy's efforts to use a taser on Smith, he continued to drive erratically. The deputy then resorted to warning Smith that he would shoot if he did not stop the car.
Tragically, the deputy had to follow through on his warning, shooting Smith as he continued to ignore commands. Following the shooting, the deputy was able to bring the vehicle to a stop and provide aid to Smith. Despite these efforts, Smith succumbed to his injuries.
It was revealed that Smith had a history of criminal offenses, including prior arrests for battery and drug charges. In 2019, he was convicted of fleeing law enforcement by car, aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, and hit-and-run, resulting in a three-year prison sentence.
The Pasco Sheriff's Office described Smith as having a significant criminal history of violence. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement has initiated an investigation into the officer-involved shooting, following standard protocol in such cases.
