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Sheriff: Hillsborough deputy shot at 8 times during traffic stop, shooter on the run

Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister said the shooter was driving a carjacked Jeep.

TAMPA, Fla. — The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office is looking for the person accused of shooting at a deputy at least eight times during a traffic stop early Sunday morning. 

It happened around 4:46 a.m. near the intersection of 43rd Street and Skipper Road. 

Deputy Geovanny Rodriguez pulled over a silver Jeep Cherokee and before he could get out of his car, the driver shot at Rodriguez at least eight times, Chief Deputy Donna Luczynski said during a news conference.  

Luczynski said the deputy returned fire, but the shooter drove away on Skipper Road before jumping out of the Jeep and running into the darkness. The deputy was not able to get a clear look at the shooter because it was dark and the incident happened so fast.

She added that Rodriguez was not injured during the shooting but is currently on administrative leave.

On Monday morning, Sheriff Chad Chronister confirmed that the Jeep had been stolen in a carjacking. He said investigators are now working to "put science behind this crime" and conduct DNA testing on items found inside the car.

“The individual or individuals in this car are extremely violent. They’ve already used violence to take this car from somebody and then fire at a law enforcement officer. So, yes, it is a priority for us to solve this case," Chronister said.

Anyone with information on this case is asked to contact the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office at 813-247-8200.

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