Two Hernando Deputies Shot Serving Drug Warrant in Spring Hill; Suspect Faces 12 Attempted Murder Counts

Two Hernando County Sheriff's Office deputies were shot early Thursday morning while trying to serve a narcotics search warrant at a home in the Berkeley Manor subdivision of Spring Hill, near Coral Street and Newton Road. Both are expected to recover, but the shooting has shaken a quiet residential pocket of the county and put a spotlight on the risks deputies take on routine drug raids.

The Sheriff's Office says SWAT personnel and deputies arrived at the residence around 5 a.m. to execute the warrant. Deputies made repeated announcements identifying themselves, marked patrol vehicles sat outside with lights activated, and the SWAT armored Bearcat was parked in front of the home. As deputies moved to breach the door, the suspect inside, 29-year-old Anthony Cusati, opened fire through it, striking two deputies.

Sheriff Al Nienhuis said the deputies were "placed in a potentially life-threatening situation" but were treated at a hospital and released the same day. Local news reports identified one of the wounded deputies as Sgt. Scott Lewis, who was hit in the chest and the upper left leg, and the second as Deputy Jonathan Alion, who was struck in the arm. Cusati was taken into custody at the scene without deputies returning fire, according to the Sheriff's Office.

The Sheriff's Office says additional narcotics charges are expected as the investigation continues, and the exact count on some charges has not yet been finalized. Cusati is a convicted felon with six prior felony charges on his record, which is part of why he was barred from possessing a firearm in the first place.

Investigators released body camera footage from the raid showing deputies calling out warnings before the gunfire began. The Sheriff's Office warned the footage is graphic and issued a viewer discretion advisory before posting it.

What Happens Next

Cusati remains in custody. The Sheriff's Office has not released a court date, and the investigation into the narcotics operation that led to the warrant is still active. Anyone with information is asked to call Hernando County Crime Stoppers at 1-866-990-TIPS, where tips can be submitted anonymously and are eligible for a reward of up to $5,000.

Nienhuis thanked the deputies and personnel who responded, calling their conduct during the raid a reflection of the dangers officers face while serving warrants tied to drug investigations. Neighbors near Coral Street and Newton Road woke up Thursday to a street lined with patrol cars and an armored vehicle, a reminder of how quickly a routine warrant can turn into a gunfight.

This is a developing story. For updates and more on how Hernando County is responding, visit the Hernando County Community Website or follow us on Facebook. Share what you know or what you're hearing in the neighborhood by joining the conversation in our Community Forum, and check our crime and safety and public safety coverage for related stories from around the county.

Header photo: Hernando County S.O. / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)