Man Tried to Drown K9, Cop Before Fatal Shot Was Fired, Police Say

The auto theft suspect shot by a Tampa Police officer Monday morning following a stolen vehicle pursuit in the Carrollwood area has died.

According to the agency, Kobvey Igbuhay of Pinellas Park died at St. Joseph’s Hospital after he was shot by Officer Jimmy Houston, a 15-year veteran of the force.

Police have also identified another suspect in the case as Shakira Rodriguez, 18. The other two people involved in the incident are not being identified by Patch because of their ages. They are 16 and 17.

Charges against the three surviving suspects are pending, the police department said.

According to the Tampa Police Department, the incident began to unfold around 2:30 a.m. when a police officer spotted a SUV that had been reported stolen earlier in the month. The SUV was located near Nebraska and Lake avenues and had four suspects inside.

The officer initiated a brief pursuit of the vehicle and notified air service. The department’s helicopter followed the SUV from the air, an email from the agency stated.

The vehicle began to head north and made a stop behind the First Presbyterian Church of Tampa, 4307 Humphrey St. From there, the four suspects bailed out of the SUV and fled into a wooded area noted for its deep, swampy water, the email said.

“Tampa Police K9 Officer Jimmy Houston and his partner went into the woods chasing the four suspects,” the email stated. “Police K9 Titus went into deep water chasing suspect Kobvey Igbuhay. The suspect pushed the dog down under the water, and K9 Titus lost consciousness and was floating in the water.”

Police say Houston pulled Titus out of harm’s way. After he did, he tried to approach Igbuhay, “who jumped up and began pushing down on Houston, attempting to push his head under water. Houston was wearing the standard equipment and vest, which weigh roughly 35 pounds.”

Houston fired a single shot as Igbuhay tried to push him under water, police said.

The officer then turned his attention to getting Titus and Igbuhay out of the water.

“Titus was revived and the officers performed chest compressions on Igbuhay, who was taken to the hospital where he later died,” the email said.

Two of the other suspects were apprehended around the same time, but Rodriguez hid in the swampy area until 6:25 a.m.

The officer and dog did not suffer serious injuries, but both were being checked out by medical personnel, the agency noted.

Houston has been placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of an investigation into the fatal shooting.

Photos courtesy of the Tampa Police Department