Man Who Stabbed Mother In Front Of Kids Fatally Shot By Tampa Police

TAMPA, FL— A 33-year-old man accused of stabbing a woman repeatedly in front of her three young children and then fleeing from Tampa police was fatally shot Monday night.

According to Tampa police, the man, who has not yet been identified by police pending notification of next of kin, stabbed a woman multiple times in the 2800 block of 35th Street in front of her children, ages 2 through 6, police said.

He then fled the scene with the children and took them to his brother's house where he stole his brother's AK-47.

Tampa police spotted the man's car at 5:40 p.m. heading south near Dale Mabry Highway and Spruce Street and followed the car with the help of a police helicopter.

At 5:48 p.m., officers in marked police cars attempted to stop the fugitive at North Lois Avenue and West Cypress Street, but the man pointed the AK-47 out the car window at them and continued fleeing.

As the man headed north on North Florida Avenue, officers ahead put down spike strips to blow out the car's tires, but the man was able to navigate around them.

Finally, at 6:02 p.m., the fugitive crashed into another car at the intersection of North Florida Avenue and East Gladys Street. He then opened fire on Tampa police with the AK-47 and officers fired back, striking and killing the man, who was pronounced dead at the scene.

The man and the woman in the car the fugitive crashed into did not suffer serious injuries, and no police were injured.

The mother who was stabbed was taken to the hospital in critical condition.

"The suspect had no regard for human life and was a deadly threat to our community, which was evident by his actions," said Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw. "Every officer who puts on a badge knows the danger that comes with this job. And yet, they show up every day to ensure the safety of the community. I'm thankful that tonight every officer involved was able to go home to their families and serve another day."

The officers involved in the shooting have been placed on routine administrative duties while the Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigates the shooting.

The Tampa Police Department victims advocate will provide support for the three children and the couple in the car who witnessed the shooting.