Hillsborough County Police Release Body-Cam Footage of Deputy-Involved Shooting Amid Investigation

Photo by Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office | Press Release, YouTube

What started as a call for a potential suicide response led to a shooting involving two Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office (HCSO) deputies and a 67-year-old Tampa resident last Saturday. The incident has sparked further investigation, pushing the sheriff's office to release the body-worn camera footage in an effort to increase public transparency.

According to the December 8 press release from HCSO, at approximately 11:15 pm on December 7, their 911 center received a call from Anthony Dadante's wife, who was concerned that he may have committed suicide following the sound of gunshots emanating from inside the bathroom within their home.

When deputies arrived at the residence located in the 10000 block of Tampa's Courtney Palm Boulevard, they proceeded to the bathroom and opened the door to find the 67-year-old in the bathtub, conscious, but slumped over and with the shower curtain half drawn. Deputy Jose Rodriguez, 29, pulled the shower curtain back to see the blood-covered chest of Dadante with a firearm still in hand.
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Video footage shared by HCSO plays from the perspectives of Deputies Rodriguez and Jenna Roberts, also 29, asking Dadante to drop the weapon several times as they peeled back the shower curtain. Instead of dropping the firearm, Dadante pointed the gun directly at Deputy Rodriguez, prompting both deputies to fire approximately 12 combined shots at Dadante, who did not survive his injuries.

Chief Deputy Joseph Maurer released a brief statement regarding the incident and asserted that Rodriguez and Roberts have no previous history of using deadly force while employed with HCSO.

According to HCSO record, Deputy Roberts has been with the county's police force since September of 2017, while Rodriguez joined their ranks in March of 2022. HCSO also state that Dadante has no criminal history, and no previous calls to this address had been made prior to the recent incident.

"What began as a response to a potential suicide changed into a life-threatening confrontation that no deputy ever wants to face. Our deputies had to make a tough decision in an instant, and it was the right one," said Sheriff Chad Chronister. "The holidays can be a difficult time for many. If you're struggling and feeling overwhelmed, know you're not alone. Don't hesitate to reach out to the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay."

If you or a loved one are in need of help and services, you can call the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay at 211, which offers 24/7 support. Their website also offers an interface to submit an online request for assistance with a variety of hardships including mental and physical wellness, personal safety, traumatizing events, financial difficulties, dangerous family situations, and more.

As of publication, the investigation is in the hands of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), and no further details are available at this time. Additional updates regarding the investigation will be released from the FDLE office.

Article by Rachael Volpe