The Tampa Police Department arrested a suspect who attempted entry into a local gentleman's club with a loaded firearm and extra ammunition in his pocket.
At approximately 1:15 a.m. on Sunday, March 19, 2023, Michael Rudman, 44, arrived in a silver pickup truck at Mons Venus, located at 2040 N Dale Mabry Highway. Rudman exited his vehicle, wearing a red and black devil mask and the words “kill” and “darkk one” on his arms. He walked toward the entrance of the venue with a firearm in one hand and a flashlight in the other.
Upon seeing the firearm, a security guard at the venue engaged the suspect and knocked the weapon out of his hand. During the incident, a single round from the suspect’s gun struck the front door of the venue. No one was injured inside the venue. One of the three security guards involved suffered minor injuries because of the altercation that ensued with Rudman.
When Tampa Police officers were dispatched and arrived on the scene, they located additional ammunition, knives, and firearm accessories in Rudman’s truck. They also found two fully loaded magazines in his pocket. He faces charges of Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon, Battery, Aggravated Battery with a Deadly Weapon, and Purchasing, Possessing, or Receiving a Firearm While Under a Risk Protection Order (RPO). Rudman had previously been served with an RPO last year by the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office.
Rudman’s motive for Sunday’s incident is unknown at this time and is still under investigation. However, detectives have learned that Rudman had visited the establishment the night prior.
“There is no question that the security guards who disarmed this suspect saved dozens of lives through their heroic acts, and I am thankful that our officers were able to take this individual into custody before he had the chance to carry out whatever he had planned,” said Interim Chief Lee Bercaw. “We will continue to actively and thoroughly investigate this case to get a better understanding of what led up to this thwarted incident.”
The Tampa Police Department thanks the following agencies for their assistance over the course of the investigation:
- State Attorney’s Office 13th Judicial Circuit of Florida
- Florida Department of Law Enforcement
- Clearwater Police Department
- Largo Police Department
- St. Petersburg Police Department
- Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
- Hernando County Sheriff’s Office
Rudman is currently incarcerated at the Falkenburg Road Jail with no bond. Video from the incident can be viewed at the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9XCbinpL4lU
Rudman has previously faced charges including domestic violence, battery, reckless driving, and DUI in Pinellas County.