BY IRIS B. HOLTON
Sentinel City Editor
A Hillsborough County deputy is recovering in a local hospital after being shot early Saturday morning. She was responding to a 9-1-1 call when the shooting occurred.
A spokesperson for the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office said they received a 9-1-1 hang up call Friday night. Their procedure is to dispatch a deputy whenever the call is interrupted.
Deputy Lyonelle De Veaux responded to the call at 4747 West Waters Avenue and met with Ms. Jessica Gipson, 28, the girlfriend of the suspect, in reference to a domestic violence complaint. She also met with the suspect, later identified as 24-year-old Matthew Buendia.
Mattew Buendia
The spokesperson said Deputy De Veaux placed the victim in the back of her patrol car to conduct an interview. When Deputy De Veaux turned around, Buendia was too close and ordered him to step back.
At that point around 10:24 p.m., Buendia who was standing 3 to 5 feet from Deputy De Veaux, is alleged to raised his hands and started backing away, then suddenly pulled a firearm from his pants and began shooting.
Deputy De Veaux was shot three times in the lower leg, the upper leg, and the shoulder. She was transported to St. Joseph’s Hospital, where she was admitted in serious condition, but stable condition.
Deputy De Veaux is a five-year veteran with the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. She has been assigned to Uniform Patrol District 3 since July 2006. She was listed in good condition on Monday.[private]
Suspect Barricades Himself In Apartment
After the shooting, Buendia fled to his apartment at the Inwood Park Apartment complex, where he barricaded himself inside.
Around 3:30 a.m., Saturday, deputies used an explosive charge on the door and a robot to gain entry. Once inside, deputies located Buendia in a small closet near one of the bedrooms.
Buendia was charged with battery, domestic violence; domestic violence by strangulation; tampering with a state witness; and attempted second-degree murder of a law enforcement officer with a firearm.
During a bond hearing on Monday, Buendia, a former Marine, was denied bond as the court reviews the issue. A hearing has been planned for Thursday afternoon. At that time, it will be determined if Buendia will receive a bond.[/private]
