A Florida sheriff’s deputy’s heroic actions over the weekend saved a 7-year-old boy from a potentially fatal situation, as he was held hostage by his knife-wielding older brother in a domestic violence incident near Tampa. Bodycam footage has now revealed the dramatic moment when the deputy, Anthony Gonzalez, responded to a frantic domestic violence call at a home and was forced to confront a life-threatening situation.
According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, the incident occurred after Gonzalez arrived at the home of Mario Camacho, 27, who was holding his younger brother in a chokehold with a knife. The suspect, who was also wearing a motorcycle helmet and two tactical vests with ballistic plates, had reportedly been in a tense situation with his sister, who had called 911. She had suffered superficial cuts and was bleeding from her mouth, according to officials.
During the incident, Camacho had taken the boy “in a back bedroom with a knife and was holding him against his will,” as stated by Chief Deputy Joseph Maurer during a press conference. “For lack of a better term, he was hostage in his own house,” he added. After repeated attempts to calm the situation, the deputy and other officers heard the child screaming, “break the door down!” and ultimately kicked down the door, entering the room to find Camacho in the act of menacing the boy.
The video footage shows Gonzalez struggling through homemade barricades of mattresses and furniture before confronting Camacho, who was holding the boy in a chokehold with one hand while brandishing a knife in the other. As tensions escalated, the deputy and other officers tried to get Camacho to release the child. Eventually, Gonzalez fired a single shot to the head, killing the suspect and allowing the boy to be freed from the chokehold. The incident, which concluded in Camacho’s death, has been described as a heroic act by law enforcement, though the aftermath has been emotionally devastating for the involved family.
Authorities have since stated that the case highlights the dangers of domestic violence and the importance of mental health support, with officials urging anyone facing similar challenges to seek help. They noted that while Gonzalez’s actions saved the boy’s life, the situation left the family dealing with the aftermath of a violent event. In addition, the suspect had a history of domestic violence charges, though neither resulted in a conviction. He had also been a suspect of a Baker Act, indicating that he met the legal criteria for an involuntary mental health examination.
The deputy, Anthony Gonzalez, has been placed on administrative leave with pay pending the conclusion of the investigation, according to department policy. The case has sparked a widespread debate over the balance between law enforcement’s duty to protect civilians and the need for comprehensive strategies to address domestic violence and mental health crises.