TAMPA, Fla. – A Tampa man has been arrested and charged with animal cruelty after admitting to setting his dog on fire, an incident that also led to a lengthy closure of the Courtney Campbell Causeway.
On Sunday, March 23, 2025, at approximately 7:15 p.m., Tampa Police officers responded to a report of a fire in a parking lot on the 700 block of W. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Witnesses at the scene reported seeing a man, later identified as 43-year-old Jason Larson, starting the fire. Upon extinguishing the flames, officers discovered the remains of a deceased dog. Larson had fled the scene prior to their arrival.
READ: Ellenton Man Admits To Massive Fentanyl, Cocaine Deal; Faces Decades In Prison
About 30 minutes later, officers were dispatched to a single-car crash on the Courtney Campbell Causeway. Upon arriving, they found an abandoned vehicle and then located Larson standing on a ledge beyond the railing. He made statements indicating he had killed his dog and that he was armed and intended to harm himself.
At 8:20 p.m., the Courtney Campbell Causeway was closed in both directions as police negotiators worked to peacefully resolve the situation. After more than two hours of negotiations, Larson was taken into protective custody without incident at 10:42 p.m.
READ: Tampa Police Terminate Reserve Officer Following Child Abuse Arrest
He was subsequently charged with animal cruelty and transported to the Orient Road Jail. No weapon was found on Larson or recovered from the scene.
The Courtney Campbell Causeway reopened to traffic at 11:43 p.m.
PREVIOUS REPORT: The Courtney Campbell Causeway has reopened to traffic after being shut down near the Veterans Expressway exit ramp on Sunday evening, where Tampa Police conducted an investigation involving a man standing on a ledge.
The incident, which began at approximately 7:46 p.m. on Sunday, March 23, 2025, prompted the closure of the Causeway in both directions, causing significant traffic disruptions. Tampa Police officers responded to a single-vehicle crash and subsequently located an adult male standing on a ledge beyond the roadway’s railing.
READ: Tampa Police Terminate Reserve Officer Following Child Abuse Arrest
Tampa Police negotiators were on the scene and worked to resolve the situation. Details regarding the resolution of the incident have not been released yet.
Authorities had urged motorists to seek alternate routes during the closure.
Mental Health Resources:
If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, please seek help:
For any emergency, call or text 911.
Call 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
Call 211 to reach the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay for connections to mental health services and support.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Connect with us: Follow the Tampa Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for breaking news and updates.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.
