Eric St. Germain

Deadly force

A neighbor heard arguing from a couple inside of the home. The neighbor heard more arguing and heard the suspect yell "call the cops, I have a gun." Pasco County sheriff's office arrived on scene. Deputies, along with SWAT team members, spent two hours trying to get the suspect to come out. After 2 hours, negotiations broke down and the suspect stopped communicating with officials. Deputies used tear gas, flash bangs and a robot to try to get him to come out. SWAT members ultimately forced entry into the home and found the suspect in the bathroom with a knife in his hand. They told him to put the knife down but he refused, so they tasered him, but it was ineffective, and they shot and killed him.