On March 4, 2014 at 5:37 a.m., HCSO deputies responded to 3117 Bloomingdale Villas Court in reference to a man attempting to break into an apartment. Deputies received information that a black male was walking around the neighborhood carrying a 20-lb barbell weight and a large butcher knife. The subject had stabbed a cat and was attempting to break a window to gain entry to an occupied apartment. When deputies arrived, they found 42-year-old Lew Tyree matching the description and attempted to gain control of him to calm him down.
Deputy Gutierrez deployed his Taser, but was unsuccessful. Deputies made numerous commands for Tyree to drop the weapon, but he would not comply. At that time, Tyree turned towards deputies and made threatening comments from about 5 feet away. In fear for their lives, all three deputies fired at the subject. Tyree was taken to Brandon Regional Hospital where he was pronounced deceased.
All three deputies, 34-year-old Steve Gutierrez, 34-year-old Marina Stroud and 25-year-old James Maiello were placed on administrative leave, as part of standard procedure.
Source: Hillsborough County Police Press Release
