TAMPA, Fla. – At 9:20 AM, Tampa Police received a 911 call reporting an armed individual threatening employees and patrons while robbing the Dollar General store. A suspect description was provided by the caller and broadcast to officers as they were dispatched.
Minutes later, officers responding to the armed robbery encountered an individual matching the suspect description provided by the store clerk within blocks of the Dollar General. When ordered to stop, the suspect turned and raised his gun toward the officers. The officers gave numerous verbal commands ordering the suspect to “drop the gun”. Responding to imminent deadly threat, the officers fired their weapons, striking the suspect. Officers immediately began providing first aid and requested emergency medical response. Tampa Fire Rescue arrived and transported the suspect to a nearby hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased.
For the first time, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) will investigate a Tampa Police involved shooting. The department implemented this new process for investigating officer-involved shootings to ensure an impartial investigation with the highest level of accountability is conducted by an external agency. The Tampa Police Department will conduct an internal/administrative investigation upon completion of FDLE’s investigation.
The officers involved, a 48-year-old male, a 25-year veteran, and a 24-year-old male, 2-year veteran have been placed on administrative leave, in accordance with standard procedure.
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