Body Camera Video Shows Unprovoked Attack on Florida Sheriff's Deputy

PASCO COUNTY, Florida -- The Pasco County Sheriff's Office has released body camera footage of a deputy being attacked while talking with a man this week.

The incident occurred Wednesday when deputies responded to an Auto Zone in reference to calls about a man who was reportedly entering and exiting the store frequently, according to a news release.

At first, the man was very cooperative with the deputy, but he then again attempted to enter Auto Zone. Another deputy reiterated the first deputy's conversation with the the man, stating that while he was not under arrest and free to leave, he could not go back into Auto Zone.

Officials said that during the conversation, the man suddenly became violent, aggressively attacking and knocking the deputy to the ground and continuing to attack the deputy by punching them multiple times before the Auto Zone manager and additional deputies were able to stop and subdue the suspect.

"We share video like this to again highlight the good work and professionalism of our deputies and to also thank our community for their continued support and their willingness to assist if the need arises," Pasco County Sheriff's officials said in a statement. "We are proud of the strong relationship we have with our community and we thank the Auto Zone manager for quickly intervening as other deputies were responding."