Watch Fla. Deputies Save Boy Being Choked by Knife-Wielding Man

A Hillsborough County sheriff's deputy fatally shot a 27-year-old man who had barricaded himself in a bedroom in Brandon while he was holding a knife and choking a 7-year-old boy.

By Mark Price

Source Miami Herald

Nov. 3, 2025

2 min read

What to know

A Hillsborough County sheriff's deputy fatally shot a knife-wielding man who was choking a 7-year-old boy during a barricade incident Sunday in Brandon.
Body camera video shows the 27-year-old suspect ignoring commands to release the child before a deputy fired once, killing him.
The deputy, a six-year veteran with the agency, was placed on administrative leave with pay pending investigation.

Body camera footage captured a Hillsborough County sheriff's deputy rescuing a 7-year-old boy Sunday by fatally shooting a 27-year-old man who had barricaded himself in a bedroom while he was holding a knife and choking a child.

Dramatic body cam video shows a terrified boy was being held by the throat when his knife-wielding captor was killed by a deputy, the Florida investigators say.

The rescue happened around 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 2, in Brandon, and it was the boy’s older sister who called for help, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.

Among the disturbing details: The suspect, who was also a sibling, had been repeatedly “cutting her” with a knife, officials said.

“The caller advised that the suspect, Mario Camacho, 27, was armed with a knife and choking their 7-year-old brother,” the sheriff’s office said .

“The suspect barricaded himself with his brother in a back bedroom. Deputies heard the child screaming for help and kicked down the door. Deputies encountered the suspect, who was holding a knife and refusing to let go of the child. The suspect was wearing a motorcycle helmet and two tactical vests with ballistic plates.”

Video shows Camacho was downed with a single shot after he refused multiple commands to release the boy, officials said.

Camacho was taken to Brandon Regional Hospital and pronounced deceased, the sheriff’s office said.

Investigators did not release details of injuries to the boy and his sister.

“The deputy involved is Antonio Gonzalez, 25, and has been with HCSO for just under six years. ... Deputy Gonzalez has been placed on administrative leave with pay pending completion of the investigation.”

Brandon is about a 15-mile drive east from Tampa.

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