Troopers Michael McKinstry and Sergio Pearce

On August 26, 2024, Tampa Bay Regional Communication Center (TBRCC) received a request to assist the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office regarding an armed carjacking of an Uber driver near Dade City. Troopers Gitto, McKinstry, and Pearce soon located the suspect vehicle in Levy County.

After attempting to stop the suspect, a pursuit ensued. Attempting to assist in stopping the fleeing felon, Levy County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) deputies deployed Stop Sticks, which the suspect evaded. Trooper Gitto performed a PIT maneuver, from which the suspect recovered and continued fleeing. The fleeing felon fired several gunshots at Trooper Gitto while in pursuit, striking his patrol car. Trooper Gitto returned fire by shooting through the windshield of his patrol car, attempting to stop the deadly threat to everyone in the area. After self-assessing for injuries and being concerned for public safety, Trooper Gitto re-engaged in the pursuit. Trooper McKinstry and Trooper Pearce took the lead, attempting to stop the suspect. LCSO deployed Stop Sticks again, which the suspect was able to avoid. The fleeing felon continued to fire shots at State Troopers as he fled north along U.S. Highway 19. Attempting to stop the immediate threat, Trooper McKinstry intentionally contacted the suspect’s vehicle; however, the suspect continued to flee. Trooper Gitto again became the lead unit and feared the likely impacts of the suspect’s criminal and deadly actions toward others. The suspect then began to drive on the wrong side of the divided highway into oncoming traffic. Knowing this deadly criminal behavior would continue, Trooper Gitto fired at the suspect vehicle. Shortly thereafter, the vehicle traveled off the roadway and overturned into the wood line. Troopers Gitto, McKinstry, and Pearce cautiously approached the suspect within the crashed car, and it was determined that the suspect was no longer a threat.