July 31, 2020
By: Staff Report
TAMPA, Fla. – From charges of shooting at or into a vehicle, to the attempted murder of a law enforcement officer, Antonio Ortiz is in jail, with no bond.
Ortiz, 31, from Tampa went on a wild and dangerous shooting spree on Thursday. According to Tampa PD, 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 towards him. Multiple shots penetrated the front windshield and shattering 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 Brian Dugan met him at the hospital and reports that the officer, with 11 months on duty, is in good spirits.
Tampa PD, Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Department, and the Florida Highway patrol worked together to arrest Ortiz.
“We are thankful that through coordinated efforts with the Tampa Police Department, we were able to locate this dangerous individual who put so many lives at risk by shooting at random,” said Sheriff Chad Chronister.
“This is still a very active investigation, and we are working to determine why this person acted in such a violent manner. The pain he has caused his victims, including a Tampa Police Officer, and his reckless disregard for human life is unacceptable. He will be charged to the fullest extent of the law for his actions.”
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