Shooting Suspect Dies by Suicide Despite Hours of Negotiation Efforts by Police

TAMPA, FL. (November 6, 2024) - - On November 1, 2024, at approximately 3:42 am, Tampa Police officers responded to the 1700 block of E. Hillsborough Ave for the report of a shooting. Officers arrived to find a Hispanic male in his early 60s, with a gunshot wound to the chest. He was transported to a nearby hospital, and thankfully survived his injuries after medical treatment. 

The victim, who remains hospitalized and recovering, informed investigators that he did not know who shot him or why. 

As evidence was gathered and the investigation progressed, a suspect, 28-year-old Michael Shaheen (white male, 5/16/1996) and a suspect vehicle, a 2007 silver Honda Accord, were identified. A court authorized warrant was obtained to search the vehicle.

On the evening of November 5, 2024, officers were conducting surveillance on the Honda which was located at 915 E. 20th Ave. At that time, Shaheen entered the car and began to drive away from his residence. The car circled the block and returned to the home. As it was pulling into the driveway, officers initiated a felony traffic stop due to its recent involvement in a shooting and with the intention to seize the Honda for the search warrant.

Shaheen refused to exit the vehicle after multiple commands to do so. The Tampa Police SWAT team was activated and responded to the scene, working to take Shaheen into custody through negotiations and the use of less-than-lethal techniques.

Shaheen remained barricaded inside of the car. After more than three hours of attempted negotiation, Shaheen stopped his limited communication with officers. 

TPD SWAT members then cautiously approached the car and found Shaheen with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to his head. Tampa Fire Rescue transported him to a nearby hospital, where he later died from his injury.