BRANDON, Fla. (WFLA) — A Hillsborough County deputy is being praised for saving the life of a 7-year-old boy on Sunday.

The sheriff's office said Deputy Antonio Gonzalez, 25, was called to a home after a young woman called to say her older brother hit her in the face and was holding their 7-year-old brother in the back room of their home with a knife.

"He was a hostage in his own house," said Hillsborough County Chief Deputy Joseph Mauer.

As Gonzalez entered the home, he ordered Mario Camacho to come out of the back room and put down his knife. The deputy gave several verbal commands, but no one came out of the room.

In a video released from the sheriff's office, you can hear a young and frightened voice ask the deputy to knock down the door.

Gonzalez then kicked in the door and moved

See Full Page