RIVER RIDGE, Fla. — A Pasco County detective shot a man who was trying to hit him with a car Thursday afternoon, according to the sheriff's office.
Sheriff Chris Nocco described 40-year-old Tom Rose as a "very violent individual" who "didn't care who he harmed."
On Wednesday night, Pasco County dispatch got a tip that Rose, who has a federal warrant for his arrest, was spotted in New Port Richey.
When deputies responded to the location, Rose had already left. But, they were able to find him nearby at the Home Depot on Ridge and Little roads.
The sheriff said Rose tried to flee from deputies, which prompted a brief pursuit. A short time later, around 1:30 p.m., a detective saw Rose in a residential neighborhood in River Ridge.
According to Nocco, the detective approached Rose and told him to stop his car multiple times before Rose attempted to back his car into the detective.
“Preliminary information shows that the suspect attempted to strike our detective with his vehicle. The detective then fired at the vehicle, forcing the suspect to stop," Nocco said.
Rose was transported to a local hospital where he is said to be stable. According to the sheriff's office, Rose is expected to make a full recovery.
“I thank God Almighty because the suspect, Tom Rose, tried to kill one of our detectives today," Nocco said. "That suspect got what he deserved."
The sheriff commended the detective for using his training and taking the appropriate actions to stop Rose from harming anyone.
"Bad things happen to bad people, and that's what happened today," Nocco said. "You screw around, you find out."
Nearby schools were briefly placed on a "controlled campus status out of an abundance of caution" while detectives were working to get Rose in custody.
Nocco said Rose has a long criminal history of gun and drug violations detailed in a 35-page rap sheet. He has also spent more than 10 years in federal and state prisons.
The detective who shot the suspect will be placed on administrative leave as the Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigates.