A suspect “waited” for officers to open fire before shooting the Florida deputy three times, but he was released from the hospital.
Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office Officer Matthew Aitken (40) was shot in the neck and hand while responding to a report of vehicle burglary on March 12. FOX 13 Tampa Bay Reports
Sheriff Bob Gualtieri said to the station, “He’s tough,” after the deputy left the hospital on Friday afternoon. He needs to be gentle. “He’s got a bullet in the neck, his leg’s OK, and he has problems with his wrist. But I have no doubt he will come back. He’ll be strong because that’s who is.
Cpl. Cpl. Zion Bostick, 23, was allegedly trying break into cars in unincorporated St. Petersburg just before 7:15 p.m. when deputies were alerted.
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Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office Corpsoral Matthew Aitken leaves a hospital with his daughter, days after he was shot three times.
Cpl. Cpl. Jake Viano (49), accompanied Aitken, 40, and his K-9, Taco, as they followed Bostick into a fenced yard, where officials claim the suspect was “waiting.”
According to police, the suspect was hiding behind a corner in a house when deputies arrived.
Officials said that Bostick opened fire on Aitken, hitting him three times, before firing at Viano. Viano was able to dodge the bullets and retaliated, killing the suspect.
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Zion Bostick (23), was shot and killed by police in an incident that took place March 12, 2023.
Viano and Taco did not sustain injuries in the shooting.
According to police, Bostick carried a second gun in the right pocket of his left hand. It had been reported that it had been stolen from Manatee County.
According to the St. According to the St. Petersburg Police Department, he had a “extensive criminal history.”
Pinellas County Sheriff’s K-9 Cpl. Pinellas County Sheriff’s K-9 Cpl. Matt Aitken had been following Zion Bostick, a deceased suspect.
Bostick was previously arrested for DUI, vehicle thefts, drug possession, and tampering evidence, according to the station, citing jail records.
This report was contributed by Stephen Sorace, Fox News.
