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Sheriff's Office: Pasco Deputy Shoots Armed Suicidal Man

News Channel photo by DAVE KRAUT

Deputies responded to a Holiday home after a report of a suicide attempt this morning.

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TBO.com

Published: September 30, 2008

Updated: 09/30/2008 04:53 pm

HOLIDAY - A man threatening to kill himself this morning ended up being shot by a deputy and was taken to an area hospital, according to the Pasco County Sheriff's Office.

Deputies responded to 4307 Straits Lane after a report of a suicide attempt at 9:20 a.m. The man made a threatening move toward deputies, and a deputy shot him, according to a statement from agency spokesman Kevin Doll.

Shawn Cunningham was flown by medical helicopter to Bayfront Medical Center in St. Petersburg for treatment of what sheriff's officials described as non-life-threatening injuries. He was in stable condition this afternoon.

A preliminary investigation revealed that three deputies went to the home and were confronted by Cunningham, 42, who had a knife. Deputies ordered him to drop the knife, but he refused, Doll said. One of the deputies tried to subdue him with a Taser. It is unclear what happened at that point, but officials said the Taser either didn't function or the charge didn't affect him.

Cunningham, who lives at the home in Beacon Square, dropped the knife but grabbed another and again threatened the deputies, Doll said. At that point, Deputy Edward Tucker, 29, a 10-year agency veteran, fired his .40-caliber Glock, hitting the man twice, in the arm and chest.

Tucker is on paid administrative leave, which is routine during the investigation of a shooting involving a deputy. Florida Department of Law Enforcement agents are conducting that investigation.

Deputy Curtis Vigness, 28, who fired the Taser at Cunningham, and Cpl. Marshall Maseda, the other deputy at the scene, will continue working their regular schedules.

None of the deputies was injured, Doll said.

Cunningham was arrested at the hospital on a charge of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer.

Reporter Lisa A. Davis can be reached at (727) 815-1083 or ldavis@tampatrib.com.

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