Early Saturday morning, an off‑duty Pasco County deputy died from a self‑inflicted gunshot wound after an altercation with a female colleague outside Silks Gentleman’s Club in Palm Harbor, a incident that has drawn attention from Tampa Bay residents concerned about public safety.
According to Fox 13, dispatchers received multiple 911 calls reporting a possible suicide at approximately 2:37 a.m. on Saturday at 37100 US 19 North in Palm Harbor. Deputies arrived on scene and found 30‑year‑old David Greis Ospina, a Pasco County sheriff’s deputy since July 15, 2019, inside his vehicle with a gunshot wound to the head.
Paramedics administered life‑saving measures and transported Ospina to a local hospital, where doctors pronounced him dead. His next of kin has been notified, officials said.
Investigators disclosed that Ospina and a female deputy sheriff, also employed by the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office, had attended a Halloween gathering earlier that evening in Pasco County before driving to the Palm Harbor club. The two entered Ospina’s truck, with Ospina in the driver’s seat and the female deputy in the back. Detectives reported Ospina drew a handgun, pointed it at the woman, and then turned the weapon on himself, shooting himself in the head.
The female deputy escaped the vehicle and ran into the club to alert patrons, who immediately called 911, according to the investigation. The identity of the surviving deputy has not been released.
Authorities have not disclosed what triggered the parking‑lot argument or whether the firearm was a personal weapon or agency‑issued. The case remains under active investigation, and detectives have not provided further details at this time.
Ospina had served the community for more than seven years, according to employment records from the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office. The incident underscores the importance of mental‑health resources for law‑enforcement personnel and the broader community. Residents are reminded that the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available 24/7 at 988 or via chat at 988lifeline.org.
What’s next: The Pasco County Sheriff’s Office will continue its investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting. Updates are expected as detectives review evidence and interview witnesses. Community members with information are urged to contact local law‑enforcement officials.
Sources: fox13news.com
