TAMPA, Fla. — A series of criminal events unfolded at multiple locations in Tampa Sunday night.
The crime scenes involved four hit-and-run crashes — one deadly — involving innocent pedestrians, a police pursuit, and officer gunfire that ultimately ended the life of the suspect, Tampa Police Chief Lee Burcaw said.
▶ WATCH CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS
Bercaw spoke early Monday morning at a news conference, providing a timeline of the events.
He said it all began just before 8:30 p.m., outside a Dollar General store located at Dale Mabry and Interbay Boulevard.
Bercaw said an argument between two men broke out when the suspect’s car blocked a victim’s car in the lot, preventing the man from entering the store.
READ: Alert issued over missing 6-year-old girl in Lakeland
Following an argument, police said the victim drove off, but soon noticed the suspect was following him.
Outside the victim’s house, in the area of Meadow Street and MacDill Avenue in South Tampa, the suspect hit the victim twice with his car, Bercaw said; during the violent act, a friend of the victim began firing at the suspect, who was in a white Honda, in an effort to help the victim.
The suspect drove off, police said.
The victim was hospitalized, but is expected to survive.
Bercaw further explained the timeline:
8:33 p.m. — At Interbay Blvd. and MacDill Ave.: The suspect’s vehicle — the white Honda — was seen driving in circles, before intentionally striking an adult male pedestrian and then fleeing scene. Police said the impact appeared intentional by the driver. The pedestrian did not survive.
The driver of the Honda then veered off MacDill Avenue, hitting another innocent pedestrian. That person did survive, but was hospitalized.
A Tampa police officer arrived, while the suspect was still at the crime scene; Bercaw said a witness pointed out the suspect to the officer.
The officer tried to take suspect into custody, but the suspect was able to get back into his Honda and drive away.
8:39 p.m. — In South Tampa: Police received another call about the location of the suspect’s car. Bercaw said a group of people saw it moving toward pedestrians on a sidewalk. One person was struck and hurt by the Honda. The victim, a man in his 40s, suffered serious head injuries, but is expected to survive, police said.
10:16 p.m. — At West Shore Boulevard and Lemon Street: Police received a report that the driver of a car intentionally veered into people. Another person was struck and police said that marked the fourth person who was hit by the suspect driving the white Honda. That person is expected to survive.
Tampa police officers saw the vehicle on Lemon Street and initiated a pursuit that traveled onto Interstate 275. Officers used the PIT maneuver technique in an effort to stop the suspect’s Honda.
READ: Orlando’s most economically unstable ZIP codes revealed
Bercaw said when they did, as the suspect was getting out of his Honda, he reached for what officers believed was a weapon — and then shots were fired.
The suspect did not survive, Bercaw said.
The chief said three of his officers were injured and hospitalized as a result of the incident, during apprehension of the suspect.
Bercaw said all of the officers are expected to recover.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement has taken over the investigation.
Bercaw called it “a violent night.”
READ: Man on FBI’s Most Wanted List arrested in Lake County
“Our thoughts are with the families of all those impacted by this tragic series of events,” Bercaw added.
“This individual, who already had a violent history, displayed a blatant disregard for human life, resulting in this devastating outcome.”
He said the deceased suspect was a 48-year-old man who had an extensive criminal history and had been released from prison two years ago.
You can watch Chief Bercaw’s full news briefing below:
Stay with WFTV.com for updates on this story.
Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
©2025 Cox Media Group
