A tragic event unfolded this past weekend in Hillsborough County, where a 19-year-old man, identified as Christos Alexander, shot and killed his parents before turning his weapon towards law enforcement, as reported by ABC Action News. The incident began late Saturday night when deputies were called to a residence on Cactus Wren Place in Tampa, following a distress call from Alexander's mother stating her husband had been shot.

Upon arrival, deputies witnessed a harrowing scene as Alexander fatally shot his mother in the back of the head, then proceeded to fire at the officers, injuring Deputy Shane McGough, "Their training kicks in. They start rendering aid. They remove the deputy from this dangerous position and place where he was exchanging gunfire, get him out of the line of sight from our bad guy, and immediately start lifesaving measures by applying a tourniquet on his leg so he doesn’t bleed out,” Sheriff Chad Chronister explained in a statement obtained by WFLA.

Following an exchange of gunfire in which five deputies returned fire, Alexander retreated into the home, prompting a response from the HCSO's SWAT Team, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team, and Crisis Negotiation Team. Per the officials' account to WTSP, the situation escalated to a standoff, with the suspect barricaded inside. Eventually, the SWAT team entered the residence to discover both the father and Alexander deceased.

In the wake of the incident, questions have arisen regarding the suspect's process of obtaining firearms, given that "He isn’t supposed to have any firearms. He is deemed mentally unfit," according to Chronister in a statement obtained by ABC Action News. The sheriff asserted that an active risk protection order was in place against Alexander, and authorities had previously seized his guns. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement has been tasked with investigating the incident, including how Alexander acquired the weapon used in the shootings.

The community has been left to grapple with the grim reality of the situation, with neighbor Seanna Galarza recounting to WTSP that Alexander was "fascinated with weapons" and often spoke of guns. Law enforcement had been called to the Alexander residence at least 10 times since 2021 due to mental health issues and violence against his parents, indicating a troubled history leading up to the tragic events.

As the community mourns and seeks answers, Deputy McGough is reported to be in stable condition and is expected to recover from his injuries.