Pinellas Sheriffs releases bodycam of a justified deadly shooting between two deputies and a man

Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri will discuss a deadly deputy-involved shooting Thursday that was later considered justified.

Deputies were dispatched on the evening of March 12, 2023, for a reported vehicle burglary. When deputies arrived, the suspect was gone, however, a sheriff’s K-9 and its handler ultimately tracked the suspect, 23-year-old Zion Bostick, to a backyard on 60th Avenue.

According to St. Petersburg Police Chief Anthony Holloway, Bostick was planning a counter-attack.

“The suspect was waiting for them,” St. Petersburg Police Chief Anthony Holloway said at the time. “As the handler and the K-9 cleared the building, that’s when the suspect shot at the deputy, striking him several times. Then he turns his gun towards the sergeant — shot several times at the sergeant. The sergeant returned fire. At this point, I can tell you, the suspect is deceased.”

Police said K-9 handler Matthew Aitken was rushed to an area hospital, where he was later released. His K-9 was not struck by gunfire. Sergeant Jacob Viano, who was assisting Aitken, was not hit by gunfire either.

Following an investigation that determined the shooting was justified.