PLANT CITY, Fla. – An early morning shooting in Plant City has sparked a death investigation after a man was found shot to death near a local interstate entrance.
Deputies with the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office were called to the scene at approximately 4 a.m. on Sunday, March 22, 2026. According to the HCSO 911 Dispatch Center, the initial report indicated that a man had been shot multiple times.
First responders arrived at the intersection of Branch Forbes Road and the westbound entrance ramp to I-4. Upon arrival, they discovered an adult male suffering from trauma to his upper body. Despite the efforts of emergency personnel, the man was pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigators have not yet released the identity of the victim or provided details regarding a potential suspect or motive. Crime scene technicians spent the morning processing the area for evidence, leading to a heavy law enforcement presence near the highway ramp.
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Sheriff Chad Chronister confirmed that his team is currently pursuing all leads to piece together the events leading up to the gunfire.
“Our detectives are working diligently to determine exactly what led to this shooting,” Sheriff Chronister said. “We are asking anyone who may have seen or heard anything in the area to come forward. Even the smallest detail could be critical in helping us bring answers to this case.”
The Sheriff’s Office is urging motorists or residents who were in the vicinity of Branch Forbes Road and I-4 around 4 a.m. to check their dashcam footage or report any unusual activity. Anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to contact the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office at 813-247-8200.
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