Man Killed by Deputy May Have Been Unarmed: Sheriff

TAMPA, FL – A 22-year-old man is dead following a Tuesday morning deputy-involved shooting in the Clair-Mel area.

According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, SWAT team members went to a home in the 1400 block of Longwood Loop around 8 a.m. Tuesday to serve a court authorized search warrant for drugs following a month-long investigation.

After announcing their presence, deputies said the occupants of the residence came outside. They, however, said the subject of the search, Levonia Riggins was still in side.

The sheriff’s office said that deputies made numerous attempts to get Riggins to come out of the home. Deputy Caleb Johnson, 32, then spotted him inside a bedroom.

“Johnson perceived Riggins as an immediate threat and fired one shot, striking Riggins,” an email from the sheriff’s office said.

Riggins was taken to Tampa General Hospital where he later died.

The sheriff’s office said the investigation remains active, but “it does appear at this time that Riggins was unarmed.”

Johnson has been placed on administrative leave with pay pending administrative review, the sheriff’s office said. The Hillsborough County State Attorney’s Office is now involved in the investigation.

Johnson is a 7-year veteran of the sheriff’s office. He has been a SWAT team member for three years.

No further details are being released at this time.

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