Body camera footage released by the Tampa Police Department today captured a tense exchange of gunfire between officers and suspected felon Matthew Fowler, 23. The incident occurred near the Azula North Apartments on East Busch Boulevard and was related to a follow-up investigation on an unrelated robbery at the apartment complex. According to WFLA, officers approached Fowler, who was reportedly checking car and apartment door handles when the altercation quickly escalated.

During the confrontation, Fowler, who police identified as a convicted felon released from prison approximately a year ago after serving time for a violent crime, drew a gun and opened fire. The bodycam video shows an officer returning fire, however, no injuries were reported at the scene, FOX 13 News stated. After a brief foot chase, Fowler was apprehended near N. 50th St and Temple Heights Rd. Police found the handgun, reportedly with a 30-round extended magazine, ditched in a nearby dumpster.

"The exchange of gunfire began when Fowler fired the 9mm handgun with an extended magazine that held 30 bullets," Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw elaborated. Fowler is now facing multiple charges, including two counts of attempted first-degree murder of a law enforcement officer, and resisting an officer with violence, according to FOX 13 News.

WTSP reports additional charges encompass carrying a concealed firearm, felon in possession of a weapon, tampering with physical evidence, as well as, loitering or prowling.

Detective Amy Jones and Corporal Kaitlyn Ford have been identified as the officers involved in the shootout. Both officers, a 21-year veteran and a nine-year member of the department, respectively, were unharmed. They are currently on administrative leave while the Florida Department of Law Enforcement conducts an investigation into the shooting, which is standard procedure following such events.