PLANT CITY, Fla. – The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a fatal shooting that occurred during a birthday celebration in Plant City.
On Sunday, at approximately 12:30 a.m., deputies were dispatched to the 5000 block of WO Griffin Road, where a large family gathering, inside a rental barn, took a violent turn and ended with one person dead and three others injured.
Approximately 60 people were in attendance, when a verbal dispute escalated into an exchange of gunfire.
Four victims were transported to area hospitals. One victim, a 25-year-old man, passed away at Lakeland Regional Hospital.
The other three victims suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
“A birthday celebration meant to be enjoyed was instead a nightmare,” said Sheriff Chad Chronister. “Our detectives are conducting multiple interviews and processing the scene to determine what led to this violent encounter that ended with the loss of a life.”
All parties are accounted for and are cooperating with detectives.
Anyone with information relevant to the investigation is asked to contact the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office at (813) 247-8200.