Tampa Cop Wounded In Saturday Shooting Goes Home

TAMPA, FL — The Tampa Police Officer injured during a Saturday shooting has been released from the hospital.

People lined up outside Tampa General Hospital Monday to wish Officer Jose Rodriguez well as he recovers from the shooting incident that ultimately left two people dead.

“Officer Rodriguez is in good spirits considering what occurred,” Chief Eric Ward said during a Monday press conference.

What occurred remains under investigation, but some details have been made available since the shooting that left rocked the Tampa Bay area Saturday afternoon.

The incident unfolded around 4 p.m. when officers received reports about a vehicle driving erratically. Police were told the vehicle had pulled into the back parking lot of the Hyatt hotel, 11408 N. 30th St.

When officers arrived, Edward Leroy King, 51, was dead, the victim of an apparent homicide, the agency wrote in an email to media.

“When Officers arrived, (Matthew) McManamon opened fire and shot officer (Jose) Rodriguez,” the email said. “Officer Rodriguez and another officer were able to return fire. Officer Rodriguez was shot one time.”

McManamon, 46, died a short time later at a local hospital.

Rodriguez, 53, is a 13-year veteran of the agency. He was wearing body armor at the time of the shooting, the agency noted over the weekend.

As for Rodriquez, the police department reported Monday he is on the road to recovery. Rodriquez and his family asked the agency to pass along their thanks for the outpouring of support.

Ward said the call he received about Saturday’s shooting is one all police chiefs dread receiving.

“This is the type of conversation or phone call no chief ever wants to receive," he said.

It remains unclear how and when King was shot. No further information is available at this time.

Earlier this month, a Hillsborough County Sheriff's Deputy was killed in a wrong-way crash.

Photo courtesy of the Tampa Police Department/Video courtesy of the Tampa Police Benevolent Association

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