23-039 State Attorney`s Office Releases Results Of Investigation Into Deputy-Involved Shooting; Shooting Justified
SAO Conclusion
Pinellas County Sheriff's Office
Office of the State Attorney
Sixth Judicial Circuit of Florida
Pasco and Pinellas Counties
Sergeant Jacob Viano
Age: 49
Date of hire:11/06/2000
Corporal Matthew Aitken
Age: 40
Date of hire: 3/20/2006
Zion Bostick (Suspect – Deceased)
Age: 23
PINELLAS COUNTY - The State Attorney's Office (SAO) released the results of their investigation into a shooting involving a Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office Sergeant and Corporal, who was shot multiple times.
The incident occurred at approximately 7:13 p.m. on March 12, 2023, at 6385 60th Avenue North in St. Petersburg. The results of the SAO investigation were released on Wednesday, March 22, 2023.
State Attorney Bruce Bartlett concluded in a letter that was sent to Sheriff Bob Gualtieri stating, “I have determined that K-9 Deputy Matthew Aitken and Sergeant Jacob Viano were in the lawful performance of their legal duties when they pursued Zion Bostick for the felony charge of Burglary to a Conveyance when they confronted Bostick at the rear of the residence at 6385 60th Avenue North, St. Petersburg, Pinellas County, Florida, and commanded Bostick to raise his hands. When Bostick responded by shooting Deputy Aitken three times and shooting at Sergeant Viano three times, Sergeant Viano was justified in utilizing deadly force to kill Bostick who was engaged in the forcible felony of Attempted Murder of a Law Enforcement Officer. Therefore, it is the conclusion of the Office of the State Attorney that the death of Zion Bostick was justifiable homicide pursuant to F.S. §776.05(1), F.S. §776.012 and F.S. §776.032.”
A copy of the letter from the State Attorney's Office is available here:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dOqacGdAnlgwYEJ3qds3ilab7gMukXPz/view?usp=share_link
