An officer-involved shooting in downtown Tampa is currently under investigation after a confrontation occurred on Channelside Drive, near the local favorite Sparkman Wharf. The incident took place conveniently around the start of the Tampa Bay Lightning's home game yesterday night, as reported by WFLA News Channel 8.
The Tampa Police Department confirmed that two reserve officers were involved in an "interaction" with a 38-year-old man, resulting in one officer, a 46-year-old woman with more than a decade of experience in law enforcement, discharging her weapon at least three times. Deputy Chief Brett Owen detailed that the man was alert and conscious when taken to the hospital but did not comment on what precipitated the shooting. “Obviously it’s going to cause panic for anyone anytime shots are fired," Owen stated in a release obtained by WFLA News Channel 8.
Further adding to the narrative, eyewitnesses recounted the chaos with ABC Action News reporting patron Katie Bahlinger's reaction: “Then I was like, oh my god wait, no this is actually real, so I grabbed her, and we both ran inside, and we hid under the bar." Another diner, Grace Kronsnoble reflected, “It was a surreal experience just because it sounded so much like fireworks."
While the investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement is ongoing, the officers involved in the shooting have been placed on administrative duties. The department, while addressing the public's concern, insisted there was no continuing threat to the community. No officer was injured during the incident, as noted by FOX 13 News. As the story unfolds, further details are expected to emerge providing clarity on what led to the weapon being fired and the nature of the "interaction" that prompted the shooting.
