A bail bondsman was shot, and two Pasco Sheriff’s deputies suffered minor shrapnel injuries during an incident at The Enclave apartments in Wesley Chapel early Thursday, September 10, 2026. The suspect died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to the Pasco Sheriff’s Office.
The agency received a 911 call at approximately 12:58 a.m. reporting that a bail bondsman had been shot and another person remained inside the apartment with the suspect, identified as 29-year-old Henry Josena.
According to Sheriff Chris Nocco, three bail bondsmen had entered the apartment to take Josena into custody after he failed to appear in court in Hillsborough County on lewd and lascivious charges.
Nocco said one of the bondsmen reached a room toward the back of the apartment before Josena opened fire. One bondsman was seriously wounded, and another helped him escape the apartment. The third bail bondsman remained inside and was the person Nocco described as a hostage during his briefing.
The wounded bondsman was transported to a local hospital. Nocco described his condition as critical during the briefing, while the Sheriff’s Office said in its written release that he was expected to survive.
Responding deputies entered the apartment using a tactical shield to rescue the bondsman still inside.
Nocco said Josena’s brother was also in the apartment. When deputies called for the suspect to come out, the brother emerged. Deputies initially placed him in handcuffs before quickly determining he was not Josena.
As deputies moved down the hallway, Josena fired multiple shots from another room, striking the shield. Two deputies suffered minor injuries from shrapnel. Both were treated at the scene.
Deputies did not return gunfire and maintained their positions while communicating with the third bail bondsman, who told them he was not injured.
After attempts to establish contact with Josena received no response, deputies deployed pepper balls. When Josena still did not respond, they sent a drone into the room and located him. The Sheriff’s Office said he died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The third bail bondsman was evacuated from the apartment without injuries.
During his briefing, Nocco displayed the bullet-damaged shield and credited it with preventing potentially fatal injuries.
“This shield absolutely saved their lives,” Nocco said.
Nocco also said deputies found shotguns, rifles and handguns on a wall inside the room where Josena was located.
The sheriff praised the deputies’ response and emphasized the need to fund protective equipment and drones. He said the shield protected deputies from gunfire, while the drone allowed them to assess the room before entering.
The Sheriff’s Office said body-worn camera footage would not be released because the incident occurred inside a residence, citing Florida Statute 119.071.
The investigation continues.