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Bodycam captures moment Fla. deputy fatally shoots suspect while dangling from his moving SUV

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Published March 17, 2024, 6:24 p.m. ET

A Florida sheriff’s deputy shot and killed a suspect in a violent strangulation case as the officer hung from the man’s speeding SUV on Saturday, according to the shocking bodycam footage.

Pasco County Sheriff’s Deputy Christopher Howell can be seen in the video outside a 7-Eleven in Hudson north of Tampa speaking to Paul Smith, 40, a suspect with a violent criminal history linked to a battery-by-strangulation case.

Howell tries to get the man’s attention several times, saying “Hey, Paul,” before Smith pops his head out of the car to respond to the deputy, who orders him to step out of the car.

Paul Smith, 40, the suspect for a battery-by-strangulation case, was startled by Pasco County Sheriff's deputy Christopher Howell.
Strangulation suspect Paul Smith, 40, was startled by Pasco County Sheriff’s deputy Christopher Howell when approached. Pasco Sheriff's Office
Smith drove around with the cop hanging from his car door until Howell shot him in the body, subduing the man.
Smith drove around with the cop hanging from his car door until Howell shot him in the body. Pasco Sheriff's Office

Smith appears confused, asking “What’s going on,” multiple times as Howell tries to escort him out of the vehicle.

The suspect then makes an abrupt move to start his engine, with Howell pouncing on him to try and drag him out of the SUV.

“Get out of the car now! Get out of the f–king car now!” Howell yells.

Smith had his back turned when the officer approached him outside a 7-Eleven in Hudson.
Smith had his back turned when the officer approached him outside a 7-Eleven in Hudson, Fla. Pasco Sheriff's Office

Smith ignores the officer and begins to speed away, with the deputy dangling from the door as he holds onto the suspect and keeps ordering him to stop.

As Smith continues to ignore the cop, Howell eventually pulls out his stun gun and tasers Smith numerous times in his back and neck.

When the stun gun proves ineffective, the deputy throws it aside and pulls out his pistol, warning Smith several times to stop or else he would be shot.

Howell hit Smith with his taser multiple times in the back and neck.
Howell hit Smith with his taser multiple times in the back and neck. Pasco Sheriff's Office

“Stop the car, you’re gonna get shot!” Howell yells one final time before he fires at Smith.

The sheriff’s office said Howell was able to take control of the vehicle after the shooting and performed first aid on the suspect but that Smith eventually died from the injury.

Pasco spokesman Col. Jeff Harrington defended Howell’s actions as necessary, with the sheriff’s office noting that the officer gave Smith multiple warnings before pulling his gun.

Smith kept speeding despite the tase hits, with Howell tossing the stun gun aside and pulling out his pistol.
Smith kept speeding despite the tase hits, with Howell finally tossing the stun gun aside and pulling out his pistol. Pasco Sheriff's Office

Pasco court records show Smith had been previously arrested in the county for battery and drug charges, including a 2019 conviction where he fled from police, assaulted an officer and conducted a hit-and-run, the Tampa Bay Times said. He served three years in state prison for the crime.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is currently investigating Saturday’s shooting. The department did not immediately respond to The Post’s request for comment Sunday.