Citrus County Florida Police Gundown Knife Wielding Man after Stabbing K-9
Written by Fareed Warrad on March 25, 2009 – 12:40 PM -At about 1:20 a.m. Monday, March 23, 2009, Deputy Todd Cridland of the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office, shot a knife-wielding man six times during a confrontation in the center lane of U.S. 19. Cridland shot the now identified man, known as Dominic Giacobbe, 26, after Giacobbe stabbed a K-9 dog and was moving with the knife in hand towards the dog’s handler, Deputy Jim Davis, Dawsy said. A seventh shot missed the suspect and according to Sheriff Jeff Dawsy, it could not be found.
Dominic Giacobbe, 26, was shot and killed after stabbing a police dog and allegedly lunging towards officers.
“Sheriff’s deputies were called to the area after receiving reports of a man jumping in and out of traffic” Citrus County sheriff’s spokeswoman Heather Yates said. “Deputies confronted the man and noted he was carrying a large knife. A K-9 handler released the dog, named Mito, to help apprehend Giacobbe, but Giacobbe stabbed the dog. After that Giacobbe charged toward deputies, which is when shots were fired and he was killed. Deputy Todd Cridland fired the shot that killed Giacobbe.” As part of agency procedures, Cridland has been placed on administrative leave with pay until the conclusion of a Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigation. FDLE will pass along information to the State Attorney’s Office, which will determine whether Cridland used excess force in the case. “Officials do not have an expected date the investigation will be completed,” FDLE spokeswoman Heather Smith said.
Cridland, a Lecanto High School graduate, began working for the sheriff’s office in 1999 as a 911 dispatcher. In April 2004 he became a deputy. Cridland’s personnel file includes information that describes his work as exemplary and above standard. The Florida Highway Patrol recognized him in 2006 for his work in a fatal hit-and-run crash. He was also commended for having perfect attendance in 2004 and 2006. “Todd continues to be a deputy that can be counted on during the toughest times.” Capt. Charlie Simmons said in December 2008.
By Wednesday, March 25, 2009, The Florida Department of Law Enforcement has concluded that the Monday morning shooting death of a man in Crystal River by a Citrus County Sheriff’s deputy was justified. Dawsy revealed several details of the shooting and its circumstances, including:
–Investigators believe Giacobbe had been on a bus headed for California. He either got off the bus in Crystal River and it left without him, or he was kicked off the bus. Dawsy said investigators are trying to find the bus driver to interview him.
–The sheriff’s office was called to a disturbance earlier at the RaceTrac gas station by a clerk who said the man later identified as Giacobbe was acting strangely. Deputy Kevin Morton spoke with Giacobbe and asked him to move along.
According to Dawsy, Giacobbe told Morton: “If the demon takes me over, will you shoot me in the head?” Dawsy said Morton dismissed the comment because the man did not say he wanted to kill himself or hurt anyone else.
–Giacobbe showed up later at a nearby unrelated traffic accident. Deputies suggested he get something to eat at the Sonic fast-food restaurant.
–A motorist called 911 to say a man was standing in the southbound lanes of U.S. 19 and stopping traffic. Deputies Cridland, Davis and Morton tried to move Giacobbe from the roadway as another deputy stopped northbound traffic
“As all four were standing in the center turn lane, Giacobbe pulled a knife from a pocket and Davis released his K-9, Mito, which charged the man. Giacobbe stabbed the dog and headed for Davis,” Dawsy said. “The man was less than eight yards from the deputies Cridland ordered Giacobbe to drop his knife and when he didn’t, Cridland fired seven times” When asked why seven shots were fired at a man who only had a knife, Dawsy responded “Why did we fire seven shots? Because the guy kept coming. It was a good shooting.”
