TAMPA POLICE, HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE, AND FLORIDA HIGHWAY PATROL WORK COORDINATED SHOOTING INVESTIGATIONS
DATE/TIME: July 30 starting at 6:52 PM
31-year-old male arrested after being involved in multiple shootings in the city, county, and along the interstate; shooting at a police officer.
At 6:52 PM, Tampa Police received a 911 call regarding a suspect shooting from a moving vehicle on I275 near West Shore Blvd. Additional calls were received with similar reports in the area of Reo St and Cypress St. A report was received regarding victims being shot by the same suspect reported on I275 near West Shore Boulevard. The two adult victims in that incident were reported to have non-life-threatening injuries.
Just after 7:30 PM, a Tampa Police officer attempted a felony stop on the suspect traveling eastbound E. Hillsborough Avenue. The suspect pulled his vehicle southbound onto N. 43rd St, exited, and opened fire on the officer. Multiple rounds penetrated the front windshield and shattered the back windshield.
The 24-year-old officer ducked as the bullets came toward him. Multiple shots penetrated the front windshield and shattered the rear windshield of the police car. The suspect then ran into the Brandywine apartment complex, where officers tracked him to a third-floor landing and took him into custody.
The officer sustained a non-life-threatening injury to the arm from the gunshots and shattering glass. He was transported to Tampa General Hospital. Chief Dugan met him at the hospital and reported that the officer, with 11 months on duty, is in good spirits.
The investigation is still in its earliest stages. Currently, we have learned the suspect was involved in multiple shootings around the city, the county, and on I-275 within a 40-minute time span before our officer attempted to pull him over.