The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the moments leading up to a deputy-involved shooting on Thursday, July 27, 2023.
Deputies responded to a caller reporting that their car was stolen at AdventHealth Tampa at 6:38 p.m. The person said their vehicle was equipped with GPS, and HCSO’s Auto Theft Task Force located it at 8:01 p.m. in Plant City.
Deputies tracked the suspect’s location for several miles with support from the Aviation Unit, patrol units, and K9, ultimately leading them into Pasco County. Dade City Police were notified and responded to the scene to assist.
The suspect eventually abandoned the vehicle at Publix in Dade City on US-301. He fled to a nearby neighborhood and hid in a shed before carjacking an innocent victim and forcing the victim to drive in a final attempt to escape.
With heavy law enforcement presence surrounding the area, the victim stopped the car, causing the suspect to exit. The suspect then aimed his gun at Dade City officers, who were assisting on the scene. Four HCSO deputies and one Dade City Police Officer fired their service weapons, shooting the suspect. The unidentified suspect was transported to a local hospital in critical condition and refused to provide identification to deputies on the scene.
“This is a terrifying scene from a criminal willing to not only steal a car from an innocent person but hold a hostage at gunpoint with no regard for human life,” said Sheriff Chad Chronister. “Our deputies worked with the utmost professionalism and precision while tracking this suspect as he wreaked havoc throughout our region.”
“The citizens are extremely lucky that no one was injured besides this suspect, and the only reason that no one was injured was because of the brave actions of law enforcement officers who serve and protect every single day,” said Dade City Police Chief James Walters.
The four HCSO deputies involved in this incident were:
- Deputy Brennan Allen, 24
- One year of service
- Deputy Cody Burgess, 26
- Four years of service
- Deputy Jonah Daniel, 23
- Eight months of service
- Deputy Taylor Zackman, 29
- Nearly two years of service
The four deputies have no prior use of force.
The suspect, John Coker, 36, can be seen on aviation video armed and pointing two guns at officers. Despite multiple commands to drop his weapons, Coker refused, resulting in four HCSO deputies and one Dade City Police Officer shooting their service weapons.
“This wasn’t a mistake or a misunderstanding; this dangerous felon made deliberate choices that endangered the life of an innocent victim and the lives of several law enforcement officers,” said Sheriff Chad Chronister. “I can’t say enough about the careful but quick response of our deputies, the Dade City Police Officers, and the Pasco Sheriff’s Office deputies. Their outstanding work ensured no other community member became a victim of this violent felon.”
Coker was transported to a local hospital in critical condition.
Coker will face several charges including:
- Armed Burglary, Vehicle
- Grand Theft of a Motor Vehicle
- Felon in Possession of a Firearm (x2)
- Grand Theft of a Firearm (x2)
- Aggravated Assault on a LEO (x2)
- Armed Carjacking
- Armed Burglary, Residence
- Armed Kidnapping
Coker has a lengthy criminal history dating back to 2007, including eight felony convictions.