Teen Fatally Shot In FishHawk Home Of Tampa Police Officer

LITHIA, FL — The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office is investigating a deadly shooting involving a teen that occurred in the Fishhawk Ranch subdivision of Lithia.

Shortly after 4 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13, a teenager called 911 to report that another teenager had been shot in a home on Bridgewater Drive. Deputies arrived within five minutes and located a 15-year-old victim with a gunshot wound to the upper body. Four male teenagers, all between the ages of 15 and 16 years old, were in the home. The victim was transported to Brandon Regional Hospital where he was pronounced deceased.

The residence where the shooting occurred is owned and occupied by a Tampa Police officer, an 11-year veteran of the department, who was working at the time of the incident, according to Tampa Police public information officer Eddy Durkin.

He said Tampa Police Chief Dugan is aware of the incident and in communication with the sheriff's office.

The victim who was shot is not related to the family of the officer.

Deputies are working to learn how the shooting occurred and how the teens got the gun. Interviews are ongoing, and no one is facing charges at this time.

"This incident is devastating, and as a father, I grieve with the parents who won't get to hug their son tonight, as well as the law enforcement officer and his family who live in the home where this tragedy occurred," said Sheriff Chad Chronister. "As we enter the holiday season and more people have young visitors in their homes, please take the time to make sure your firearms are properly secured, ensure that they are not loaded, and most importantly, teach young people that guns are not toys. These simple steps could help save a life and save another family from heartbreak."

A candlelight vigil to remember the teen took place Monday night at Park Square in FishHawk Ranch with many of the teen's classmates from Newsome High School in attendance.

In accordance with Marsy's Law, a Florida law that went into effect in 2018 to protect the identities of crime victims, the sheriff's office has not released the name of the teen who was fatally shot. Out of respect for the family, Patch will not name the victim unless the family gives the sheriff's office or Patch permission to do so.