A Florida sheriff’s deputy shot and killed a suspect in a violent strangulation case as the officer hung from the man’s speeding SUV on Saturday, according to the shocking bodycam footage.
Pasco County Sheriff’s Deputy Christopher Howell can be seen in the video outside a 7-Eleven in Hudson north of Tampa speaking to Paul Smith, 40, a suspect with a violent criminal history linked to a battery-by-strangulation case.
Howell tries to get the man’s attention several times, saying “Hey, Paul,” before Smith pops his head out of the car to respond to the deputy, who orders him to step out of the car.
Smith appears confused, asking “What’s going on,” multiple times as Howell tries to escort him out of the vehicle.
The suspect then makes an abrupt move to start his engine, with Howell pouncing on him to try and drag him out of the SUV.
“Get out of the car now! Get out of the f–king car now!” Howell yells.
Smith ignores the officer and begins to speed away, with the deputy dangling from the door as he holds onto the suspect and keeps ordering him to stop.
As Smith continues to ignore the cop, Howell eventually pulls out his stun gun and tasers Smith numerous times in his back and neck.
When the stun gun proves ineffective, the deputy throws it aside and pulls out his pistol, warning Smith several times to stop or else he would be shot.
“Stop the car, you’re gonna get shot!” Howell yells one final time before he fires at Smith.
The sheriff’s office said Howell was able to take control of the vehicle after the shooting and performed first aid on the suspect but that Smith eventually died from the injury.
Pasco spokesman Col. Jeff Harrington defended Howell’s actions as necessary, with the sheriff’s office noting that the officer gave Smith multiple warnings before pulling his gun.
Pasco court records show Smith had been previously arrested in the county for battery and drug charges, including a 2019 conviction where he fled from police, assaulted an officer and conducted a hit-and-run, the Tampa Bay Times said. He served three years in state prison for the crime.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is currently investigating Saturday’s shooting. The department did not immediately respond to The Post’s request for comment Sunday.