UPDATED: Armed Homosassa man dies by deputy gunfire following domestic violence incident
CCSO mugshot of Derek Michael Large, 34.
Citrus County Sheriff's Office (CCSO)
Homosassa, Florida - About 9:30 pm on Wednesday evening, Dec. 7, 2022, deputies with the Citrus County Sheriff's Office were dispatched to a residence at an undisclosed located off S. Suncoast Blvd. (US 19) in Homosassa, due to a report of a domestic disturbance in progress where shots had been fired.
Deputies arrived at the residence to find two victims with minor injuries. According to a victim and a witness, 34 year-old Derek Michael Large, of Homosassa, had been violent while under the influence of drugs and alcohol. Deputies learned that Mr. Large had physically battered both victims and fired multiple rounds from his firearm before fleeing the residence prior to the arrival of deputies.
A K9 Unit, accompanied by deputies, began to track the suspect in the direction he'd fled. The K9 (canine) alerted deputies to the suspect, who was still armed with a firearm, hiding under a mobile home. Deputies gave verbal commands for Mr. Large to surrender. However, instead of cooperating with deputies, he pointed his firearm at deputies. Fearing for their safety and the safety of others, three deputies on scene fired multiple shots at the suspect, who was pronounced deceased on scene, with a semi-automatic pistol next to his hand.
As with all deputy involved shooting incidents, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) was called to the scene to begin an independent investigation into the incident. Meanwhile, three deputies are on paid administrative leave, pending the result of the FDLE's investigation. No additional injuries were reported.
"The suspect posed a significant danger to our entire community, and most especially the victims involved in this case," said Citrus County Sheriff Mike Prendergast. "When an impaired convicted felon recklessly points a handgun at law enforcement, a split second decision has to be made by our deputies, to protect themselves and our citizens. I am extremely grateful our deputies were able to go home at the end of their shift."
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Deputies involved in shooting with armed suspect at Homosassa business after domestic incident
Citrus County Sheriff's Office (CCSO)
Homosassa, Florida - Early Thursday morning, Dec. 8, 2022, deputies with the Citrus County Sheriff's Office (CCSO) responded to a call for service in regard to a domestic incident that involved an armed suspect and apparent gunfire, at an undisclosed location off South Suncoast Blvd. in Homossasa.
When deputies arrived on scene, they learned that the armed suspect had already discharged a firearm during the course of a felony domestic battery incident, then fled the scene.
A CCSO K9 Unit tracked the suspect and located the suspect hiding under a trailer at a closed business. When deputies confronted the armed suspect, the suspect refused their commands to surrender and pointed a firearm at deputies. "Fearing for their safety and the safety of others, deputies on scene deployed lethal force," the agency stated in a public information release..
As per the agency’s protocol in a deputy-involved shooting, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) has initiated an investigation into the incident.