TAMPA, Fla. – A Tampa Police officer shot a man near Channelside on Saturday evening following an encounter with two reserve officers who were working at an intersection as part of security for a Tampa Bay Lightning game.
According to Deputy Chief Brett Owen, the incident occurred around 7:00 PM when the two reserve officers encountered a 38-year-old black male. During the interaction, one of the officers, a 46-year-old white female with over a decade of law enforcement experience, fired her weapon three times, striking the man. The second reserve officer did not fire their weapon.
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The injured man was transported to the hospital, where he is currently alert and conscious. Authorities are working to determine what led to the shooting.
“We are currently working to determine what the interaction was and what led to the firing of the weapon,” said Deputy Chief Owen.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) is investigating the incident, which is standard procedure for officer-involved shootings in Florida. The officers involved have been placed on administrative duty pending the outcome of the investigation.
Deputy Chief Owen emphasized that there is no ongoing threat to the community and reassured the public that the police department maintains a strong presence at events like Lightning games to ensure public safety.
When the incident occurred, Deputy Chief Owen says that crowds of people left the arena area, and officers worked to manage the flow of pedestrian traffic and ensure the safety of those in the area.
PREVIOUS STORY: The Tampa Police Department is investigating an officer-involved shooting that occurred in the Channelside area on Saturday night.
The incident took place in the 600 block of Channelside Drive. Details about the circumstances leading up to the shooting are limited at this time, but the Tampa Police Department has confirmed that no officers were injured.
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Tampa PD has assured the public that there is no ongoing threat to the community.
Further information about the individual who was shot and their condition has not been released. The Tampa Police Department will provide updates as the investigation progresses and more information becomes available.
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