On February 15th, 2022, at approximately 4:40 p.m., FHP Troopers responded to the report of a shooting incident along the northbound exit ramp of I-75 leading to SR-574, in Hillsborough County.
Once on scene, Troopers located a black 2017 Infiniti QX60 that had been forced off the highway and into an adjacent ditch by a white 2006 Honda Pilot. Once on the shoulder a man later identified as Gregory Donnell Smalls, 31, of Riverview, exited the Honda and approached the Infiniti.
Smalls fired several rounds into the vehicle, then forcibly removed the female driver, aged 28, who was later determined to be married to Smalls. Smalls forced the woman into the Honda and then began driving southbound to the Ellenton Outlet Mall.
Troopers, as well as deputies from Hillsborough and Manatee Counties, worked to locate Smalls and during the overnight hours were successful. Smalls and his victim were observed in a tree line near the outlet mall; however, just after 2:00 a.m. this morning a gunshot was heard near Smalls.
Members of the Manatee County SWAT Team found him deceased from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, with his victim suffering from several gunshot wounds.
The victim was transported to an area hospital in serious condition.