Detectives Make Arrest In Fatal Shooting In Minivan In Brandon

BRANDON, FL -- Hillsborough County Sheriff's detectives have arrested a 21-year-old Seffner man in connection with the fatal shooting of a man in a minivan on Woodberry Road Monday, Jan. 28.

Paul Dean McCourt of Michigan Street A, Seffner, was charged with first-degree murder and robbery with a firearm Wednesday afternoon.

At 10:47 p.m., a Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office deputy spotted a minivan in the eastbound lane of Woodberry Road, just east of Essex Road with its lights on and engine running.

When the deputy approached the minivan, he found an unconscious man sitting in the driver's seat with gunshots wounds to the upper body. The deputy began rendering medical aid while waiting for paramedics. Hillsborough County Fire Rescue transported the man to Tampa General Hospital where he died.

After interviewing friends of the victim, detectives learned the victim was in the process of making a drug deal at the time of the shooting. McCourt met the victim to buy marijuana. In the process of the transaction, detectives say McCourt shot the victim before fleeing from the van.

McCourt was arrested and booked into Orient Road Jail on Jan. 29 on a separate charge.

The identity of the victim has not been released.

Image via Hillsborough Sheriff

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