TAMPA, Fla (DDN) – A driver who allegedly drove into people in multiple purposeful hit-and-runs in Tampa, Florida, on Sunday night killed one pedestrian and injured several others, including officers, according to authorities.
“Tonight was a tragic night involving an extremely dangerous suspect” who was fatally shot by police, bringing a stop to the “violent rampage,” Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw stated at a press conference.
According to Bercaw, the events began shortly before 8:30 p.m., when officers went to a report of a driver blocking someone’s car at a Dollar General.
The two drivers argued, and the victim eventually fled, according to the chief. The victim then observed the suspect following him home, and the two drivers flung stuff at each other, according to Bercaw.
The culprit then “reversed out, hitting the victim with the car twice,” according to the chief. “While this was happening, a friend of the victim was firing at the suspect in an attempt to stop this violent act.”
The chief stated that the first victim was in stable condition.
Police claimed that at 8:33 p.m., the suspect drove his white Honda in circles before striking and killing a guy in an apparent purposeful act.
The suspect fled and struck another pedestrian, who survived, according to authorities.
At 8:39 p.m., the suspect was seen speeding toward pedestrians on a walkway, according to police. The driver injured another man, who was taken to the hospital with critical head injuries but is likely to recover, according to Bercaw.
Another complaint came in around 10:16 p.m., stating that the vehicle purposefully drifted into traffic, striking another person, according to Bercaw.
According to Bercaw, police chased the suspect and eventually stopped his car.
“The suspect was getting out of the car, reaching for what [officers] believed was a weapon, and then shots were fired,” Bercaw recalled. “The suspect did not survive.”
Bercaw claimed that three officers were injured in the incident, although none of their injuries were life-threatening.
The 47-year-old suspect, whose identity was not revealed, had an “extensive violent criminal history” and had been released from jail around two years prior, according to the chief.
“This was a violent night,” the chief explained. “Our thoughts are with the family of the man who was killed.”
Reference: Driver killed after deadly hit-and-run spree in Tampa, Florida: ‘This was a violent night’
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