The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the circumstances that resulted in a suspect fatally shooting his parents and injuring one deputy.
On Saturday, June 15, 2024, at 11:09 p.m., deputies responded to the 14000 block of Cactus Wren Place in Tampa to the report of a shooting.
The caller stated her husband had just been shot. While on the phone with the HCSO dispatch center, several more shots were fired.
Upon arrival, deputies encountered the caller and suspect outside of the residence. The suspect, Christos Alexander, 19, then shot his mother, the caller, and turned to fire toward deputies.
Five deputies returned fire, deploying their service weapons, causing Alexander to retreat and crawl into his home.
HCSO’s SWAT Team, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team, and Crisis Negotiation Team were called to assist.
“The monster we encountered this evening is responsible for not only injuring our deputy but also killing his own mother and father,” said Sheriff Chad Chronister. “Our deputies responded to a chaotic scene and immediately put themselves in harm’s way to protect our community. Without our deputy’s quick and skillful response, an entire neighborhood would have been in danger.”
When specialty units entered the home, they discovered Alexander had succumbed to his injuries.
The five deputies involved in this incident are:
- Deputy Shane McGough, 26,
- Two years of service
- Deputy Brandon Schade, 26
- One year of service
- Deputy Richard Ziegler, 33
- Nine years of service
- Deputy Bjar Atkins, 38
- 13 years of service
- Deputy Ciara Moncada, 34
- Two years of service
None of the deputies involved have any prior uses of deadly force.
McGough is currently in stable condition and underwent surgery this morning to remove the bullet from his leg. A rod was also inserted and the surgeons deemed the procedure successful.
In accordance with HCSO policy, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating the shooting.