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Tampa police officer among three shot, two fatally, in exchange near USF

 
The Tampa Police Department was investigating an officer-involved shooting Saturday at this Sunoco gas station across the street from Yuengling Brewing Co., 11111 N 30th St. in Tampa. One officer and at least one suspect was shot, Tampa police confirmed. [SARA DiNATALE   |   Times]
The Tampa Police Department was investigating an officer-involved shooting Saturday at this Sunoco gas station across the street from Yuengling Brewing Co., 11111 N 30th St. in Tampa. One officer and at least one suspect was shot, Tampa police confirmed. [SARA DiNATALE | Times]
Published March 27, 2016

TAMPA — A Tampa police officer was wounded and two other men were fatally shot Saturday afternoon after officers received reports of gunshots fired between two vehicles driving north of Busch Gardens.

Tampa police were investigating the shooting that ended in the parking lot of the Hyatt Place hotel, near N 30th Street and Fowler Avenue.

Tampa police Officer Jose Rodriguez, 53, was wounded, said Tampa police spokeswoman Andrea Davis. He was taken to Tampa General Hospital and was expected to survive.

Two other men were shot and killed. Police did not release their names.

The events that led to the shooting started about 4 p.m. in the area of a Sunoco gas station, near 30th Street and 109th Avenue. Someone called 911 and reported that there were two cars driving erratically in that area. Gunshots were fired from one of the vehicles, Davis said. The caller followed the cars a few blocks north to the parking lot of the Hyatt.

Two men were exchanging gunfire when Rodriguez arrived, Davis said.

"At some point, one of the suspects engaged the officer and he returned fire," Davis said. "We don't know how many shots anyone fired or who shot who."

The officer was hit in his chest area, Davis said. It was unclear how many times he was shot. During the exchange, both of the gunmen were also shot. One of them died at the scene.

A rescue helicopter airlifted Rodriguez to Tampa General Hospital. He was conscious and breathing when he left, Davis said.

"His bullet-proof vest likely saved his life tonight," Davis said.

Police Chief Eric Ward and Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn visited Rodriguez in the hospital Saturday evening, Davis said. The 13-year Tampa police veteran was in stable condition.

Saturday night, detectives were interviewing several witnesses who saw the shooting. It was unclear what led to the altercation between the two men. Police said they do not believe anyone else was involved.

"It's very early on," Davis said. "There's a lot we're trying to piece together."

Crime scene tape was wrapped around the street near the Hyatt hotel and adjacent Wawa gas station. Tape also blocked the entrances to the Sunoco gas station, just across the street from Yuengling Brewing Co.

The street was closed between Fowler and Bougainvillea avenues and police officers rerouted traffic. Emergency vehicles and police cars crowded in the Hyatt parking lot as they examined the scene.

"We're thankful no one else was around," Davis said.

The shooting is the first time a Tampa officer has been shot since the fatal shootings of Officers David Curtis and Jeffrey Kocab in 2010. Dontae Morris was later convicted in the killings and received the death penalty.

In August, a Hillsborough County sheriff's deputy was wounded in the leg when he and two other deputies investigated a call of shots fired near Thonotosassa. That shooter remains at large.

Contact Dan Sullivan at dsullivan@tampabay.com or (813) 226-3386. Follow @TimesDan.