The name of the Hernando County Sheriff’s deputy involved in Thursday’s deputy-involved shooting in Citrus County is as follows: E.J. Varrichio
Deputy Varrichio has been employed with the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office since 06-06-2011. He is 32 years old.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement was notified and will be investigating the case. As per standard protocol the deputy has been placed on paid administrative leave.
No additional details will be available throughout the holiday weekend.
Original Information:
Lindsay Blair,
CCSO Public Information Officer (352) 341-7460
(Beverly Hills) Officer-Involved Shooting during Narcotics Search Warrant
Just after 6 a.m., Thursday morning, the Tactical Impact Unit (TIU) along with members of Citrus County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team and the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team executed a drug search warrant on 6019 W. Rio Grande Dr. in Beverly Hills.
SWAT team members announced themselves multiple times before they entered the residence. Preliminary information indicates that they encountered a white female subject who was armed with a gun.
After refusing verbal commands to lower her weapon, the subject was shot by deputies. She was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Two other individuals were injured during the execution of the search warrant and were transported to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
The two individuals have since been treated and released. No deputies from either agency were injured. Over the course of the search, deputies located 11 occupants, including an infant, along with 7 dogs.
Currently, Tactical Impact Unit detectives are continuing their search of the house. As with any officer involved shooting, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating.
Following standard protocol, the deputy involved in the shooting has been placed on administrative leave with pay, pending the outcome of the preliminary FDLE investigation.
We will release additional details as they become available.
