'Violent rampage': 1 pedestrian killed, several hurt in hit-and-run spree in Florida
One pedestrian was killed and several pedestrians and officers were hurt by a driver who allegedly drove into people in multiple intentional hit-and-runs in Tampa, Florida, Sunday night, police said.
"Tonight was a tragic night involving an extremely dangerous suspect" who was fatally shot by police, ending the "violent rampage," Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw said at a news conference.
The incidents began just before 8:30 p.m. when officers responded to a report of a driver blocking someone's car at a Dollar General, Bercaw said.
The two drivers argued and eventually the victim left, the chief said. Then, the victim noticed the suspect was following him to his house, and the two drivers threw items at each other, Bercaw said.
The suspect then "reversed out, hitting the victim with the car twice," the chief said. "While this was happening, a friend of the victim was firing at the suspect in an attempt to stop this violent act."
That first victim was listed in stable condition, the chief said.
At 8:33 p.m., the suspect drove his white Honda in circles and then struck and killed a man in an apparently intentional act, police said.
The suspect fled and then struck another pedestrian, who survived, police said.
At 8:39 p.m., the suspect was seen driving toward pedestrians on a sidewalk, police said. The driver struck another man who was hospitalized with serious head injuries but is expected to be OK, Bercaw said.
At 10:16 p.m., another call came in reporting that the driver intentionally veered into people, striking another person, Bercaw said.
Police chased the suspect and eventually stopped his car, Bercaw said.
"The suspect was getting out of the car, reaching for what [officers] believed was a weapon, and then shots were fired," Bercaw said. "The suspect did not survive."
Three officers were injured in that incident; none of their injuries are life-threatening, Bercaw said.
The 47-year-old suspect, whose name was not released, had an "extensive violent criminal history" and was released from prison about two years ago, the chief said.
"This was a violent night," the chief said.
"Our thoughts are with the family of the man who was killed," he added.
