Suspect Attempts To Drown Police K-9

Tampa Police apprehended the fourth suspect who had been hiding in a swampy area north of Humphrey Street, two other suspects were already in custody, and one suspect was taken to the hospital after being shot by a police officer.

The incident started at about 2:30 a.m. when a police officer spotted a stolen SUV near Nebraska Avenue and Lake Avenue with four suspects inside. After a brief pursuit, the officer notified air service, and the TPD helicopter followed the SUV from the air. The SUV traveled north and stopped behind the First Presbyterian Church of Tampa at 4307 Humphrey Street. The suspects fled north into a wooded area with deep, swampy water.

Two suspects were quickly apprehended. TPD officers followed the other suspects into the woods with K-9 police dogs. One of the suspects attempted to drown a police dog and fight with an officer, who defended himself by shooting the suspect. The suspect was taken to St. Joseph’s Hospital with life threatening injuries.

Both the officer and the police dog are being checked out, but did not suffer serious injuries.

TPD established a perimeter around the wooded area and for hours the fourth suspect refused to come out. At about 6:25 a.m. the suspect was apprehended in the woods.

Allison Leslie is a University of South Florida graduate with a bachelors degree in Mass Communications. She joined Genesis in 2016. With a passion for sports, Allison has interned with 620 WDAE, Pewter Report, Trifecta Team: St. Petersburg Bowl, Bullscast, and many other publications. Being a native to the Bay Area, she has followed and supported Tampa Bay teams her whole life.