Tampa Police have positively identified Michael A Bresnahan, a white male (DOB: 10/22/1989), as the armed suspect who was killed during an officer-involved shooting on July 17.
After responding to the report of an adult female being stabbed, Tampa Police officers spotted the suspect vehicle. When the driver, later identified as Bresnahan, pointed an AK-47 at officers, they engaged in a pursuit. Body-worn camera and aviation footage show the suspect failing to stop his vehicle, driving erratically, crashing through fences, and avoiding stop-sticks, before crashing into a car of innocent community members.
Immediately after the crash, evidence indicates gunshots were fired from Bresnahan’s car. Eighteen Tampa Police Officers discharged their weapons in response, believing Bresnahan posed an ongoing threat of imminent danger to additional community members and police officers. Bresnahan appears to have died as a result of a self-inflicted gunshot; however, final autopsy results are pending.
The involved officers are currently on paid administrative leave, which is standard procedure. This remains an active FDLE investigation, which is also standard procedure for any officer-involved shooting.
The adult female, who was stabbed thirteen (13) times, remains in the hospital and is currently listed in stable condition.
“Our hopes are for a full and rapid recovery for the victim who has survived such unimaginable trauma,” said Chief Lee Bercaw. “Our Victims Advocate will be working tirelessly to ensure that this woman and her children are connected with the resources they may need to recover from this life-altering event.”
Additional information will be made available as the FDLE investigation allows.