Man Arrested In Connection With Fatal Shooting Of Brandon Woman

BRANDON, FL — A man wanted in connection with a deadly shooting Wednesday night in Brandon has been arrested.

Richard Miller, 49, was located on Thursday afternoon at a home in Sulphur Springs in Tampa.

A warrant for first-degree murder with a firearm was issued for Miller Wednesday night after a woman in her 50s who he was involved with was found shot multiple times in the parking lot of her apartment complex in the 900 block of Nina Elizabeth Circle at the Westchester Apartments in Brandon.

Around 8:30 p.m., deputies were called to apartment complex after receiving reports of gunfire. An adult female was found shot and transported to Brandon Regional Hospital where she died.

Deputies with the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office began surveillance on a home at 1602 E. Marks Drive in Tampa around 1 p.m. on Thursday after leads led them to believe Miller was hiding out at the home. The SWAT team was deployed around the property and, after being ordered to come outside, Miller complied and was arrested without incident.

The .45-caliber handgun used during the shooting was recovered inside the home.

Miller has a lengthy criminal history with 32 arrests for felony charges including robbery with a weapon, felony assault, aggravated stalking and domestic violence battery.

After interviewing friends and family of the victim, detectives learned she had recently broken up with Miller.

"To anyone in our community who is involved in a violent relationship, please do not continue suffering in silence," said Sheriff Chad Chronister. "There is help available. It's as simple as picking up the phone and dialing 211 to reach the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay or reaching out to The Spring of Tampa Bay by calling 813-247-SAFE [7233]."

Miller was transported to the Orient Road Jail and is being held without bond on a charge of premeditated first-degree murder with a firearm.