Convicted Felon Shot By Police After Armed Robbery

A 20-year-old Tampa man was shot at least once by an officer following an armed robbery in an apartment complex.

The incident unfolded around 1 a.m. Sunday when a woman called 911 saying she and a man she was walking with in the courtyard of Tampa Park Apartments, 1015 Lily White Court, were approached from behind by a robber in a ski mask. The robber pointed a gun at them and demanded money.

After the robbery, the male victim ran away. Police have not been able to identify him as of yet.

When the first officer arrived on the scene, he was fired on before he could get out of his car, the email said. The officer began following the man, who then shot at him again.

“The officer then jumped out of his car and began chasing the suspect on foot,” the email said. “As the officer came around the corner of an apartment building, he came face-to-face with the gunman.”

The officer told the man to drop his weapon, but the man instead raised his gun and pointed it at the officer, the email said.

“The police officer was in fear of his life and fired his service weapon,” police said in the email.

The man was shot at least once.

The man was taken to Tampa General Hospital in serious condition.

Police have identified him as John C. Carr Jr. of 5818 Langston Drive in the Palm River area. Charges against him are pending. Police say Carr is on probation for an armed robbery and attempted armed robbery in 2011. He was released from state prison in 2013.