Death by Cop 2021-2025
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Eric Blaszczyk
Age : 37
Gender : Male
Race : White
Date : 08/11/2023
Location : Bay Pointe Apartments, Town 'N' Country
City : Tampa
County : Hillsborough
State : Florida
Agency : Tampa PD
Officer(s) :Nathan Vandam
Cause of Death : Gunshot
Event : Killed by police after domestic violence call
OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :
On 08/13/2023, Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office deputies attempted to arrest 37-year-old Eric Blaszczyk, who was wanted in connection with the shooting of a woman in neighboring Pasco County. Deputies located him driving in the Town 'N' Country area. Blaszczyk continued driving away while deputies pursued. During the pursuit, his vehicle left the roadway and entered a retention pond near the Bay Pointe apartment complex.
Blaszczyk got out of the submerged vehicle armed with a handgun and immediately exchanged gunfire with deputies. The shootout continued for several minutes as deputies used patrol vehicles for cover and repeatedly ordered him to surrender. Multiple deputies fired during the exchange. Blaszczyk was struck by gunfire and transported to a hospital, where he died from his injuries. No deputies were injured.
On September 18, 2023, the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office publicly released body-worn camera footage documenting the pursuit, the crash into the pond, and the ensuing exchange of gunfire. Sheriff Chad Chronister stated the video was released to provide transparency regarding the incident.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement conducted the independent investigation into the shooting. The deputies who fired their weapons were not publicly identified in the reporting reviewed.
SOURCE LINKS :
https://www.wesh.com/article/tampa-shooting-suspect-killed/44800205
