Early Saturday morning, Pasco County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a series of 911 calls reporting a possible suicide at 37100 US 19 North in Palm Harbor. Arriving at approximately 2:37 a.m., first responders discovered 30‑year‑old Deputy David Greis Ospina inside his truck with a self‑inflicted gunshot wound to the head.
Sequence of events
According to investigators, Ospina and a female deputy—also employed by the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office—had attended a Halloween gathering earlier that evening in Pasco County. After the party, the two officers drove to Silks Gentleman’s Club in Palm Harbor. An altercation broke out between them in the club’s parking lot.
Detectives say both officers entered Ospina’s truck, with Ospina in the driver’s seat and the female deputy seated in the back. At some point, Ospina retrieved a handgun, pointed it at the female deputy, and then turned the weapon on himself, firing a shot to his own head.
The female deputy was able to exit the vehicle and ran into the club, alerting patrons who immediately called 911. Paramedics provided life‑saving measures on scene before transporting Ospina to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Background on the deputy
Records show Deputy Ospina had served the Pasco County community for more than seven years, beginning his tenure on July 15 2019. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities have not disclosed whether the firearm used was a personal weapon or agency‑issued equipment, nor have they released the identity of the female deputy who survived the encounter.
Unanswered questions
Detectives have not yet determined what triggered the parking‑lot argument. The sheriff’s office has not provided details on the motive behind the confrontation or the circumstances that led Ospina to take his own life.
Law‑enforcement agencies encourage anyone feeling distressed to contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or via 988lifeline.org. The lifeline offers free, confidential emotional support 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to civilians and veterans alike.
Original reporting: Tampa Bay Florida News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
