HOMOSASSA, FL (352today.com) – UPDATE, 8/12/2024: The Citrus County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) has released the identity of the man who was shot after allegedly engaging in a fight with a Citrus County deputy in Homosassa.
CCSO said 41-year-old Paul David Badovinac is recovering in a nearby hospital after being shot twice by a Citrus County deputy following a foot chase.
Deputies were initially called to a residence on West Jarovi Court in Homosassa after a report of a domestic battery incident.
They said the incident involved Badovinac, who allegedly assaulted an elderly woman inside the home.
Deputies say as they arrived on-scene, Badovinac took off through the back of the residence.
CCSO says a deputy then ran after Badovinac through a heavily wooded area off of West Linden Drive.
After hitting a dead-end, CCSO says Badovinac then turned to the deputy who was chasing him and began to fight him.
CCSO says Badovinac allegedly tried reaching for the deputy’s holster to grab his weapon.
They said when he failed to grab the deputy’s weapon, Badovinac then pulled out a knife.
The deputy then shot Badovinac twice.
CCSO says Badovinac was transported to the hospital, where he is recovering. They say he will be arrested and charged once he is released.
“I am appalled by Mr. Badovinac’s actions toward a vulnerable member of our community. Thanks to the quick actions taken by our deputies, he will answer for his crimes,” said Sheriff Michael Prendergast. “We want to thank the community for their continued support as this case continues.”
ORIGINAL, 8/9/2024: The Citrus County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) says a deputy shot a man Thursday morning.
They say the shooting involved a Citrus County deputy who was responding to a battery call at a home on West Jarovi Court in Homosassa.
The sheriff’s office says the incident involved an unidentified person who allegedly assaulted an elderly woman.
CCSO says the woman sustained serious injuries as a result of the assault.
As deputies arrived at the residence, they said a person ran out of the back of the house, starting a pursuit on foot through several backyards. It reached a stopping point in a wooded area right off West Linden Drive where officials say the person attempted to remove the deputy’s weapon from his holster and making threats with a knife.
CCSO says the deputy had to use “deadly force” and shot the person.
An ambulance responded to the scene following the shooting and transported the person.
CCSO says there is no update on the person’s condition.
“I am thankful that our deputy was uninjured and that no one else in the community was harmed,” said CCSO Sheriff Mike Prendergast. “We appreciate the community’s support as the investigation continues.”
CCSO says the deputy involved in the shooting is on administrative leave which is standard procedure as the Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigates the incident.