HCSO Investigating Deputy Involved Shooting
The deputies involved in the shooting that occurred on 09-15-16 are identified as follows:
– Deputy James Devorak
o Deputy Devorak has been employed as a Hernando County deputy since 11-04-2008. He is 58 years old.
– Sergeant Gisele Dunn
o Sergeant Dunn has been employed as a Hernando County deputy since 05-19-2003. She is 35 years old.
As stated in the original media release, both Deputy Devorak and Sergeant Dunn have been placed on paid administrative leave, as per standard protocol.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) is conducting the investigation into the deputy involved shooting. We do not anticipate any additional updates until their investigation is complete.
The individual who died as a result of a deputy-involved shooting earlier today in the Enclave subdivision within Woodland Waters has been identified as Joseph Allen Schlosser W/M DOB 09/05/1947.
Following the shooting Schlosser was transported to a local trauma center where he succumbed to his injuries.
The Sergeant and the deputy involved in the shooting were not injured.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is handling the investigation into the shooting.
Original Information:
The Hernando County Sheriff’s Office is currently on the scene of a deputy-involved shooting at 10264 Ridge Top Loop, which is in the Enclave subdivision within Woodland Waters, Weeki Wachee.
The incident occurred shortly after 1 p.m., when according to initial reports, a healthcare professional notified 911 dispatchers of a possible suicidal person who had numerous weapons inside the residence.
A deputy who has Crisis Intervention Training and a Sergeant, who has crisis intervention training and advanced de-escalation training, encountered the individual within the home. Initial reports indicate one of the first responders attempted to use less lethal means to take the subject into custody for the protection of all.
Shortly thereafter an undetermined number of shots were fired. The individual was transported to a local trauma center where the individual was pronounced deceased.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement has been notified and they will be taking over the investigation. As per standard protocol the deputy and the Sergeant have been placed on paid administrative leave.
Additional details will be provided as they become available.
The Office of Sheriff:
The Office of the Sheriff is established by the Florida Constitution. As a constitutional officer, the Sheriff has the exclusive authority to administer his or her agency and is responsible for preserving the peace throughout the entire county, carrying out the laws of the state, the orders of Florida courts, and the ordinances of the Board of County Commissioners. The Sheriff is the chief law enforcement and correctional officer of the county.
Sheriff Al Nienhuis was initially appointed as the Sheriff of Hernando County by the Governor in January of 2011. He was then elected by the people of Hernando County in 2012, and remains accountable to them.
