An early morning call to Hillsborough County Sheriff's deputies rapidly escalated into a deputy-involved shooting yesterday. Deputies were responding to a domestic violence situation in the Riverview neighborhood. The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office reported that the suspect, 50-year-old Manuel Alvarez, had purportedly physically assaulted a woman and set items in the home on fire, including a fake plant. The incident was confirmed to have occurred in the 10500 block of Lake Montauk Drive, as reported by FOX 13 News.
Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister stated that the woman, who had been hit at least once, was found outside her residence with a bruise on her face. Sheriff Chronister further informed that Alvarez had no criminal history before this encounter, though he had been previously Baker Acted in 2022. As deputies attempted to engage with Alvarez, the suspect warned, "Come on up, I’m gonna shoot your a**," an encounter captured on deputies' body-cam video. This was confirmed by WFLA, stating that one of the deputies dispatched to the scene was forced to discharge his firearm, striking Alvarez twice in the upper torso after the suspect pointed a gun at him.
Deputy Shawn Swinford, hired by the sheriff's office in July 2024, was identified as the officer who fired at Alvarez, as reported by WFLA. Swinford, who has eight years of experience in law enforcement, was placed on administrative leave following the incident. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement has taken over the investigation to discern the events leading up to the shooting fully.
The victim's ex-husband had made the initial 911 call just before 4 a.m., expressing concern that his adult son was informing him about the ongoing assault by the woman's new boyfriend. At the time, three adult children were reported to be present in the residence, as documented in statements detailed by Local 10. Alvarez was rendered first aid at the scene and then transported to Tampa General Hospital, where he underwent surgery and is currently listed in critical condition.
Sheriff Chronister has made a plea to victims of domestic violence not to stay silent but to reach out for help. He urged anyone experiencing abuse to contact The Spring of Tampa Bay at 813-247-7233 for assistance.
