Florida Deputies Shoot and Kill Man Wearing Body Armor and Carrying Rifle

Hillsborough County, Florida – According to the sheriff’s office, a man who was armed with a loaded rifle and dressed in “military tactical gear” was shot and killed by Hillsborough County deputies on Wednesday morning.

Deputies were called to the scene at Windingwood Avenue and Providence Road at approximately 7:24 a.m. after reports of a man carrying a large assault rifle while wearing military tactical gear, as stated by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.

The individual, identified as Vincent Tyler Morin, 34 years old, was spotted walking north on Providence Road towards the Causeway Boulevard intersection, according to the statement released by the sheriff’s office.

At 7:38 a.m., three deputies fired multiple shots at Morin after he allegedly ignored several commands to put the weapon down, the sheriff’s office said. Morin was taken to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead, according to the statement.

The three deputies who shot at Morin have since been placed on paid administrative leave, the sheriff’s office said.

Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office “DEPUTY-INVOLVED SHOOTING INVESTIGATION IN BRANDON” published April 23, 2025 (excerpt)

Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Joseph Maurer spoke at a news conference Wednesday.

“In light of the FSU shootings just recently, what could have happened here today?” Maurer said. “(…) You don’t dress in Army fatigues with a tac’ vest, with body armor, a fully-loaded assault rifle and coms on your head to do anything peaceful.”

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement will investigate the shooting, Maurer said.