WESLEY CHAPEL, Fla. — Multiple law enforcement agencies are investigating the death of a man during a trooper-involved shooting early Saturday morning in Wesley Chapel.
The incident began at around 3:15 a.m. when a trooper going northbound on Interstate 75 pulled over to check out what he thought were disabled vehicles.
During a news conference Saturday morning, the Director of the Florida Highway Patrol Gene Spaulding said both vehicles turned out to be stolen.
Spaulding explained one of the stolen vehicles was broken down. The other stolen vehicle took off, which prompted a short car chase down I-75 going north.
The director said other troopers got involved in the chase as the vehicle went into Hernando County. He noted the occupants shot from the vehicle and hit a moving tanker truck.
Spaulding said a trooper conducted a PIT maneuver, which ended the car chase, but began a foot chase. One person was arrested immediately by a trooper, while another trooper ran into a nearby wooded area after the other man.
"At some point, firearms were exposed, arms were exposed and the subject shot the trooper," said Spaulding. "He was shot in the abdomen, just below the bullet-proof vest, right above his gun belt."
The trooper returned fire and killed the man.
The trooper was airlifted to a hospital in Tampa and is reported to be in good condition after undergoing surgery.
"He seems to be doing well," the director said.
Law enforcement said they won't release any names at this time.
Agents from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, along with members of the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office, the Pasco Sheriff’s Crime Scene Unit, and the Hernando County Sheriff’s Crime Unit are investigating the incident.
Troopers say all ramps and roadways impacted by the shooting have been reopened.