Deputy-involved shooting in Pasco County

NEW PORT RICHEY (FOX 13) - The Pasco Sheriff’s Office is investigating a shooting in New Port Richey in which deputies returned fire.

The incident happened just before 8 p.m. Monday at the intersection of U.S. 19 and Gulf Blvd. Deputies received a 911 call from, they believe, the suspect himself who indicated that he was "homicidal."

The Pasco County Sheriff's Office says a training officer and his trainee spotted the suspect walking on the sidewalk near US 19 and Gulf Drive, with what they perceived to be a handgun in his hand. The deputies tried to get the suspect to drop the weapon but he instead opened fire.

The deputies returned fire, hitting the suspect several times in his legs. 

It was later determined the suspect, 36-year-old Brad Lee Hero, of Port Richey, was actually carrying a BB gun. 

Hero remains in a hospital and charged with aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer with a deadly weapon ($50,000 bond), and aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer with a deadly weapon ($10,000 bond).

Field Training Officer Cpl. Michael Barrow has been with the agency approximately 6 years, and Dep. Dustin Riker has been a trainee for approximately 6 months. Both are on paid administrative leave, which is standard procedure while the investigation continues.