PASCO COUNTY, Fla. – The Pasco Sheriff’s Office on Monday released the names of the two deputies who fatally shot an armed man in Land O’Lakes last week. Officials identified the officers as Deputy Samuel Watson and Corporal Matthew Stritt.
The sheriff’s office shared the names on Aug. 10 after a required 72-hour waiting period under Florida law, which keeps the identities of officers private when they are listed as victims of aggravated assault.
The incident began around 11:10 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 7, when deputies answered a domestic call involving a gun on Causeway Boulevard. Officers spoke with the victim while trying to talk to 61-year-old Enoch Harville, who was inside a back bedroom.
Sheriff’s reports state that Harville picked up a gun while inside the room. Watson and Stritt backed out of the room and ordered him to drop the weapon. Authorities said Harville ignored their orders and walked toward the deputies with his gun, leading both officers to shoot him.
Harville died at the scene around 11:30 p.m. Neither the deputies nor any bystanders were hurt.
Body camera video will not be released because state law protects privacy when an incident happens inside a private home.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is looking into the shooting, which is standard procedure when deputies use deadly force. Both Watson and Stritt are on paid leave while the investigation continues. Officials said there is no threat to the public.
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