A man in his early 20s was fatally shot by a security guard early Friday morning following a physical altercation at a Tampa gentlemen’s club, according to the Tampa Police Department.
Officers responded just before 12:15 a.m. on July 24, 2026, to Emperor’s Gentlemen’s Club, located at 5718 E. Adamo Drive, after receiving reports of shots fired. When officers arrived, they found the man suffering from upper-body trauma. He was pronounced deceased at the scene.
According to the preliminary investigation, the man had been ejected from one portion of the club. Moments later, investigators say he pushed past venue employees and entered a separate section of the business that was closed to the public.
When a security guard, a man in his early 60s, confronted him, the two became involved in a physical altercation. Police said the man repeatedly struck the security guard before the guard fatally shot him.
The security guard remained at the scene and is cooperating with investigators.
Detectives continue to process evidence, review surveillance footage, and interview witnesses as they work to determine the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
The investigation remains ongoing, and additional information will be released as it becomes available.