Sheriff Seeks Witness In March 26 Deputy-Involved Shooting

TAMPA, FL -- The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office is asking for the public's help to find a witness to a March 26 shooting by a sheriff's deputy that left a 17-year-old boy in critical condition.

Around 7:42 p.m. Tuesday, March 26, deputies were dispatched for two domestic violence 911 calls in the 1200 block of Skipper Road.

According to the sheriff's office, a family dispute began in a parking lot. During the argument, a 17-year-old boy struck his sister. A short time later, the teen also threw his mother to the ground, resulting in a minor head injury.

See related story: Investigation Into Deputy-Involved Shooting Underway

Two uniformed patrol deputies were dispatched to the scene after the grandfather of the teen called 911, saying, "Someone is bleeding" and "The brother threw her on the floor."

The caller also said his 17-year-old grandson "just knocked out his mother. No weapons involved. Her head is bleeding."

Hillsborough County Sheriff's Deputy Daniel Estanislau found the teen walking just west of parking lot. At the time, said the sheriff's office, Estanislau feared for his safety because he thought the teen had a weapon. He ordered the teen to "Drop the gun, drop the gun."

Estanislau then fired two rounds from his service weapon, striking the teen once in the upper body. No weapon was found at the scene.

Since that night, detectives have conducted additional interviews, forensically mapped the scene, conducted investigative research, obtained a statement from Estanislau, reviewed all forensic evidence and submitted the firearm to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for analysis.

Detectives are now trying to locate a person who was in the area at the time the shooting occurred. Photographs are being circulated and the sheriff's office is asking anyone who recognizes this person to call the sheriff's office at 813-247-8200 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-873-TIPS.

"We are working to conclude this investigation as expeditiously as possible while ensuring it is thorough and accurate," said the sheriff's office in a statement released Monday. "The completed investigation will then be forwarded to the State Attorney's Office for review.The attorneys of the subject who was shot have been advised of this information and will be updating the family."

Estanislau has been placed on administrative leave in accordance with sheriff's office policy, pending a complete investigation and review by the sheriff's office and the State Attorney's Office.

Due to age of the teen, his name is not being released. He has prior arrests and the sheriff's office has received other calls from the location of the domestic violence disturbance.

Estanislau 26, was hired by the sheriff's office in October 2015. His professional standards record shows only a "Letter of Counseling" in April 2017 for an at-fault traffic crash.This is his first deputy-involved shooting.