TAMPA, Fla. – A chaotic series of events unfolded in Tampa on Sunday night, leaving one person dead and several injured and culminating in a fatal officer-involved shooting. The incident began with a dispute at a Dollar General store and escalated into a violent rampage by a 48-year-old suspect who intentionally struck multiple pedestrians with his vehicle.
According to the Tampa Police Department, the initial incident occurred around 8:30 PM at the Dollar General on Dale Mabry Highway and Interbay Boulevard. The suspect, driving a white Honda, blocked another vehicle and engaged in a verbal altercation with the driver.
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The situation escalated as the suspect followed the victim to a nearby residence and struck him with his car. A friend of the victim fired a gun to stop the suspect, who then fled the scene.
The suspect then proceeded to intentionally strike two pedestrians with his vehicle, one near MacDill Avenue and Interbay Boulevard and another in the 5800 block of Interbay Boulevard. Tragically, the second pedestrian succumbed to his injuries.
The suspect continued his rampage, striking another pedestrian on West Shore Boulevard and Lemon Street before leading police on a high-speed pursuit onto Interstate 275. Officers performed a PIT maneuver to stop the suspect’s vehicle. When the suspect appeared to be reaching for something inside the car, officers, fearing for their lives, fired their weapons.
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The suspect was pronounced dead at the scene. Three Tampa Police officers sustained non-life-threatening injuries during the incident and were transported to a local hospital.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) is investigating the officer-involved shooting, as is standard procedure. The officers involved have been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.
“This individual, who already had a violent history, displayed a blatant disregard for human life, resulting in this devastating outcome,” said Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw. “Our thoughts are with the families of all those impacted by this tragic series of events.”
The investigation is ongoing, and further details will be released as they become available.
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