One Dead in Tampa Hotel Parking Lot Shooting

TAMPA, Fla. – The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a shooting that left one man dead Wednesday afternoon in the parking lot of the La Quinta Inn and Suites located at 602 S. Falkenburg Road.

Just before 4:30 p.m., on Wednesday, Detective Alex Bailey was in the area of S. Falkenburg Road and Adamo Drive when witnesses to the shooting pointed out a red sedan that was leaving the parking lot of the La Quinta at a high rate of speed.

Detective Bailey, along with the assistance of multiple undercover deputies, was able to take the shooter into custody before a 911 call was even made to HCSO’s Communications Bureau.

Once in custody, the shooter said that he and the decedent had gotten into a verbal altercation, and the decedent threatened him with a knife.

In fear for his life, the shooter fired at the decedent, killing him.

There is no threat to the public at this time.

“Detective Bailey’s swift actions prevented the shooter from getting away and I want to commend him and the other deputies who stepped up to the plate before the call was even made,” said Sheriff Chad Chronister. “Our detectives are on scene gathering information and evidence, but at this time, no arrests have been made in this case.”