TAMPA, Fla.— An argument between two left one dead, three pedestrians injured, and three officers wounded, the Tampa Police Department announced.
According to TPD, officers responded to a series of events involving a dangerous person around 8:30 p.m. on Sunday.
The first call was a dispute at the Dollar General store on Dale Mabry and Interbay Boulevard where Jeremiah Bailey, 48, used his white Honda and intentionally blocked 47-year-old Eric Archield’s vehicle so he couldn’t leave, after an argument.
After Archield left the parking lot, Bailey followed him to a friend’s house near West Meadow Street and South MacDill Avenue where the Archield was hit by the white Honda, according to TPD.
Archield suffered minor injuries and was treated by Tampa Fire Rescue at the scene.
After running over Archield, Bailey was driving northbound on MacDill Avenue when he suddenly veered toward 43-year-old Jesse Rickett, hitting him. Rickett was taken to the hospital with head injuries, where he is in critical but stable condition.
Minutes after hitting Rickett, a call came into TPD reporting the suspect intentionally hit another pedestrian in the 5800 block of Interbay Boulevard. The pedestrian, who remains unidentified at this time, died from his injuries, according to TPD.
After hitting the victim, an officer spotted the Honda stopped in the middle of the 3100 block of Wyoming Avenue, where Bailey was removing a bicycle from the trunk of the car.
The officer quickly exited the vehicle and ordered Bailey to stop, but Bailey ditched the bike and ran back into the car, fleeing at a high speed.
TPD said at 10:16 p.m. another report came in from West Shore Boulevard and Lemon Street that Bailey intentionally hit 41-year-old Timothy Harden as he was crossing the street with his wife.
Harden’s wife called 911 and told dispatchers that “this car jumped over the curb and swerved to hit him!”
Harden was alert at the scene and was taken to the hospital to be evaluated. His wife was uninjured.
According to TPD, officers then spotted the white Honda returning to the area and initiated a pursuit that led onto I-275 northbound. Officers performed a PIT maneuver, and the suspect was repeatedly ordered to exit the car and show his hands.
Bailey appeared to be reaching for something, and officers believed their lives were in immediate danger so they fired their weapons.
The suspect was pronounced deceased at the scene.
No firearm was found on Bailey or in his car, but officers are still conducting searches of the areas of travel.
“Our thoughts are with the families of all those impacted by this tragic series of events,” said Chief Lee Bercaw. “This individual, who already had a violent history replayed a blatant disregard for human life, resulting in this devastating outcome.”
Three TPD officers were injured and taken to the hospital to be treated for non-life-threatening injuries. They have since been released.
FDLE is investigating the officer-involved shooting.
Via WFLA