A suspect is now in custody following a daytime shooting in Ruskin, which resulted in injuries to three juveniles. The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office reported that the incident occurred on Sunday morning, where deputies responded to reports of gunfire in the 500 block of Sunlit Coral Street. The victims were found with gunshot wounds and have been transported to Tampa General Hospital, sustaining injuries that were described as non-life-threatening.
As detailed on the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office news release, the suspect, identified by authorities as Christopher Lee Brown, age 36, allegedly engaged in conflict with the juveniles over a dispute concerning a vehicle. Prior to his arrest, detectives pieced together the involvement of Brown, who ultimately fired multiple shots at the young victims, hitting them in a sprayed and tragic consequence of unchecked rage.
Sheriff Chad Chronister weighed in on the situation, stating, "This was a senseless and alarming act of violence that could have had an even more devastating outcome." Chronister praised his team for their quick action, "I'm grateful for the swift response of our deputies and the dedicated efforts of our detectives, who worked quickly to identify the suspect and ensure he was taken into custody without further incident," as detailed by the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office.
Christopher Lee Brown is now facing a raft of serious charges, including three counts of Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon, two counts of Attempted Murder in the First Degree Premeditated Firearm - Discharge, and three counts of Aggravated Battery Great Bodily Harm or Deadly Weapon Firearm - Discharge. Along with the aforementioned charges, Brown is looking at a multitude of other felonies, including Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Discharge Firearm in Public or on Residential Property, Burglary of an Occupied Dwelling, Resisting Officer without Violence, and Criminal Mischief. Deputies said, without incident, they took the suspect into custody.
The investigation into the Ruskin shooting remains active, and no additional details pertaining to the incident or Brown's custodial procedure have been released. The Public Affairs Office of the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office will provide further information when available.
