Photos for Headline Surfer / Seminole County Sheriff Dennis Lemma is shown on the scene of a SCSO detective-involved fatal shooting in unincorporated Longwood, involving a retired county firefighter, Gary Wayne Guckenberger, 68, who drew a gun from his waistband. Guckenberger is shown in the insert from a 2013 Facebook retirement post.
By HENRY FREDERICK / Headline Surfer
LONGWOOD, Fla. -- Seminole County Sheriff’s Office detectives are actively investigating an officer-involved fatal shooting on Sept. 18, 2025, that occurred in the area of Hatfield Court and East Wekiva Trail, in unincorporated Longwood, Florida, involving a retired county firefighter, identified as 68-year-old Gary Wayne Guckenberger.
Here is a synopsis of what occurred on Sept. 18 as described by the SCSO, leading to an FDLE investigation: The SCSO Crimes Against Children Unit executed a residential search warrant at 102 Hatfield Court in response to a National Center for Missing and Exploited Children Cybertip. Upon arrival, Detectives made contact with the suspect, Gary Wayne Guckenberger, 68 (DOB 3/13/57).
During the search, detectives noted Guckenberger was armed with a firearm, and additional firearms were located throughout the residence. Several electronic devices were seized during the investigation, and upon forensic examination, hundreds of images of child pornography were discovered. As a result, Detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Guckenberger.
At approximately 3:30 p.m., SCSO Detectives were conducting surveillance on Guckenberger, a retired Seminole County firefighter, walked out of his house with his walker, armed with a fully loaded weapon in his waistband.
A SCSO warned Guckenberger not to draw his firearm, but he ignored the command and raised the gun. The detective discharged his weapon, striking Guckenberger. He immediately initiated life-saving measures until the arrival of the Seminole County Fire Department; however, Guckenberger succumbed to his injuries
The deputy said, "Don't do it." Guckenberger responded, saying, "I have to." That is when a deputy shot twice at Guckenberger, who was then pronounced dead at the scene.
Lemma said the investigation started a week before the deadly encounter after the SCSO received a tip of alleged child porn possession.
A warrant was issued for Guckenberger's residence, where four cell phones and two computers were seized.
After obtaining devices, deputies found over 100 sexually explicit videos and 200 photos involving children from 3 to 9 years old.
Surveillance video from the scene confirms the circumstances leading up to Guckenberger being fatally shot by the deputy, Lemma said, adding: “We have a responsibility as a society and as a profession to protect our most vulnerable. Our children, who are the victims of these heinous crimes, are at the top of that list.”
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement will investigate the officer-involved shooting. The detective involved has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation, Lemma said, adding that it is a standard procedure in such situations.
Sheriff: 'Most horrific examples of abuse and neglect that any human being could ever imagine'
Sheriff Dennis Lemma said the seized pornography from Gary Wayne Guckenberger's Longwood residence "included bondage, sexual batteries, and the most horrific examples of abuse and neglect that any human being could ever imagine."
Lemma added: "We know at least on one occasion where he communicated with another woman about engaging in sexual activity with her child. And at this point, we don’t believe that that has ever occurred."
Law enforcement received a tip about Guckenberger and conducted a search at his home, during which they found the material on his devices. The incident unfolded later as police were surveilling him. "As we were conducting surveillance, Guckenberger came out of his house," Lemma said stoically. "He was on a walker. He walked down to the middle of the driveway. ... He immediately reached to his waistband, pulling a .38 revolver out of his waistband and started raising it up." That's when one of the SCSO detectives fatally shot him.
Law enforcement received a tip about Guckenberger and conducted a search at his home, during which they found the material on his devices. The incident unfolded later as police were surveilling him. "As we were conducting surveillance, Guckenberger came out of his house," Lemma said stoically.
"(Guckenberger) was on a walker. He walked down to the middle of the driveway. ... He immediately reached to his waistband, pulling a .38 revolver out of his waistband and started raising it up." That's when one of the SCSO detectives fatally shot him.
Deceased: Nearly 29 years of public service as a firefighter and Fire/EMS Instructor when he retired in 2013
Gary Guckenberger, a firefighter and Fire/EMS Instructor known by his fellow firefighters as "Guck," retired from the Seminole County Fire Department on February 1, 2013, after nearly 29 years of public service, according to a Facebook post by the fire department at the time.
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