Florida deputy shot three times during ambush leaving hospital
The Florida deputy was shot three times by a suspect who “waited” before shooting officers last week and has been released from the hospital.
Corporal Matthew Aitken, 40, of the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, was shot in the neck, hand and leg while responding to a report of a motor vehicle theft on March 12, FOX Report 13 Tampa Bay.
“He’s a tough guy,” Sheriff Bob Gualtieri told the television station after the deputy left the hospital Friday afternoon. “But he needs to take it easy. He’s got a bullet in his neck, his leg’s fine, he’s got issues with his wrist, but I have no doubt he’ll come back, and he’ll come back strong because that’s who he is.”
Accused of shooting the corporal. Aitken’s 23-year-old, Zion Bostick, was allegedly attempting a car break-in shortly before 7 p.m. on an unincorporated street. That’s when deputies were alerted and began pursuing the suspect, the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office said.
Florida shooting suspect was ‘waiting’ for deputy before shooting, injured officer: police
Corporal Matthew Aitken at the Pinellas County Sheriff’s office emerges from the hospital holding hands with his daughter days after he was shot three times. (Fox 13 Tampa Bay)
Cpl. Aitken, 40, and his K-9 student, Taco, were accompanied by Sgt. Jake Viano, 49, as they tracked Bostick down in a fenced-in backyard, where officials say the suspect was “waiting.”
Police said deputies followed the suspect and saw him try to hide behind a corner of a house.
Officials said Bostick opened fire, hitting Aitken three times before shooting Viano. Viano dodged the bullets and returned fire, killing the suspect.
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Zion Bostick, 23, was killed in a shooting involving police on March 12, 2023, after authorities said he shot a deputy three times. (St. Petersburg Police Department)
Fiano and Taco were not injured in the shooting.
According to police, Bostick was carrying a second handgun in his right-hand pocket, which had been reported stolen from Manatee County.
He had an “extensive criminal history” street. Petersburg Police Department He said.
K-9 Pinellas County Sheriff’s Corporal. Matt Aitken and his K-9 taco partner had pursued deceased suspect Zion Bostick. (Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office)
Bostick’s previous arrests include a DUI, car thefts, Drug possession and tampering with evidence, the station reported, citing prison records.
Fox News’ Stephen Surace contributed to this report.
